Barcelona ‘failed with late Aubameyang transfer move’ before captain signed new £350,000-a-week Arsenal contract
BARCELONA failed with a late move to bring Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the Nou Camp this summer.
Speculation over the 31-year-old’s future was finally ended this week when Arsenal announced he had signed a new £350,000-a-week contract.
New Barca boss Ronald Koeman wants a new attacker after telling Luis Suarez he can leave, with Inter Milan also keen.
Aubameyang was out of contract next June with the North London club wary of losing him for nothing at the end of the campaign.
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The forward scored 22 goals in the Premier League last term and fired the Gunners to FA Cup glory.
He is already off the mark this season after netting in the Community Shield win over Liverpool and the 3-0 thrashing over Fulham in the top-flight.
And now his future is sorted, Aubameyang wants to become a legend at the Emirates.
He said after penning his new deal: “Signing for this special club was never in doubt.
“It's thanks to our fans, my team-mates, my family and everybody at this club that I feel like I belong here.
“I believe in Arsenal. We can achieve big things together. We have something exciting here and I believe the best is to come for Arsenal.”
Barcelona are having to explore new targets now after failing to land Aubameyang.
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Ex-Manchester United attacker Memphis Depay is the latest name linked having worked under Koeman in the Dutch national team.
But Koeman admits he is having trouble with his rebuild due to the problems presented courtesy of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said: “For Depay to arrive, you must first sell.
“We're working towards the new season and I think we will go into it with the same group of players that we have now for pre-season.”
