Report: Arsenal star stalling on renewing contract, amid Barcelona interest

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Spanish newspaper Sport have claimed that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is stalling on signing a new contract at Arsenal in order to see how interested Barcelona are in his services.

Aubameyang, 30, has a contract at Arsenal until the summer of 2021 – believed to be worth £200,000 a week (Spotrac). He remains Arsenal’s top scorer and arguably best player, with nine goals in 14 appearances this season.

The Gabon skipper was handed the Arsenal captaincy recently after Granit Xhaka was stripped of the armband. Indeed, Xhaka is yet to play for Arsenal since storming off the Emirates pitch and reacting angrily to jeers from the Gunners fans.

It is believed that Arsenal and Aubameyang are in talks over a new deal but the former Borussia Dortmund man is stalling. That is because he is waiting to see how interested Barcelona are in his services.

Aubameyang has scored a huge 50 goals in just 79 games for Arsenal, following his £56million (BBC) move in January 2018.

TBR’s view – Arsenal need top four to keep Aubameyang

Under Unai Emery, it looks unlikely Arsenal will achieve a Champions League spot. Manchester City and Liverpool are undoubtedly the top two sides, while Leicester City look nailed on for a top-four spot – especially after beating Arsenal 2-0.

Tottenham have reinstated the enthusiasm and optimism by appointing Jose Mourinho, while Chelsea are doing very well under Frank Lampard. Arsenal have little chance of finishing in the top four.

Whether Aubameyang will wait until the end of the season, remains to be seen. But the chances are that The Gunners will fail to land a top-four spot, and be forced to wave goodbye to their star striker.