Report: Arsenal may be forced to sell £70m-rated player this summer

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Arsenal may be forced to part company with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this summer due to wage demands which the Gunners may be unable to afford, according to a report in the Daily Mail.

The Gabon striker’s current contract expires at the end of the 2020-21 season and talks over a new deal are said to be continuing.

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta is reportedly eager to either tie Aubameyang down to a new deal or sell him in the summer instead of allowing his contract – and value – to run down.

However, the Daily Mail claims Aubameyang is looking for £300,000 a week, more than a 30 percent increase on his existing deal, and the Gunners will reportedly struggle to afford such a contract.

As a result, Arsenal – who are facing a huge battle to qualify for Europe – are said to be “increasingly resigned” to selling the 30-year-old this summer.

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It doesn’t appear to be a good situation for Arsenal, who may well end up not qualifying for the Europa League this season, which would place a huge strain on their finances.

Aubameyang has been a superb servant for the Gunners over the years, with 61 goals and 13 assists in just 96 appearances, but as a world-class striker, his wages need to be in line.

It’s not just about money though – a player like Aubameyang should be playing Champions League football and challenging for top trophies on a regular basis.

If Arsenal don’t qualify for Europe for next season, then selling Aubameyang will be the best option for all parties – the Gunners get a big fee to bolster their ranks and the player can look to add the Champions League to his CV.

According to a report in The Mirror from February, Arsenal had given Aubameyang a £70million price tag amid interest from the likes of Inter Milan, which would be a sizeable addition to Arteta’s war chest come the summer.