Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s wages could block a potential move to Barcelona with the Spanish side interested in signing the exiled Arsenal forward next month.
Aubameyang has been omitted from Arsenal’s last three Premier League squads following a disciplinary breach that saw the 32-year-old removed as club captain, his future appearing uncertain at the Emirates as the January transfer window rapidly approaches.
The Mail are reporting that Barcelona are monitoring his situation ahead of a potential loan move, though Aubameyang’s club-record wages of £350,000-a-week are a stumbling block for the cash-strapped Catalan club.
Aubameyang is not expected to feature for Arsenal before leaving for international duty at the end of the month, where he will represent Gabon at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Barcelona are keen to sign two new forwards next month and have been linked with Manchester City’s Ferran Torres and Manchester United’s Edinson Cavani, following the sudden retirement of Sergio Aguero.
Torres is believed to be open to a return to La Liga, but a compromise will need to be found on either the cost or structure of a reported €50m fee to prise the Spain international from the Etihad.
Cavani has made just three league starts for Manchester United this season as a result of injuries and the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo last summer and the 34-year-old – who is out of contract next summer – could be allowed to depart for a cut-price fee.
