Barcelona in advanced talks with Arsenal over Aubameyang loan

Barcelona are in advanced talks with Arsenal over the loan signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The two clubs have not agreed the deal yet, but there is increased confidence it can be completed before the transfer window closes on Monday night.

The deal would see Aubameyang move to the Nou Camp until the end of the season.

Barcelona would not have an option to make Aubameyang's switch permanent, and discussions continue over how much of the forward's wages they would cover.

Juventus also wanted to sign Aubameyang but their move was dependent on Atletico Madrid agreeing to cut Alvaro Morata's loan spell short. As it stands, Morata will stay at Juventus.

Arsenal are willing to allow Aubameyang to leave after stripping him of the captaincy in December following a disciplinary issue.

The 32-year-old has not played for the club since December 6, and was left out of their squad for their warm-weather training camp in Dubai this week.

Sky Sports News reported earlier in the window that the 32-year-old would prefer a move to a top European club if a deal could be agreed.

Marseille, Sevilla, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan all expressed an interest, while Saudi Arabian clubs Al Nassr and Al Hilal made loan offers with obligations to buy.

Sky Sports' Adam Bate:

The drop in performance levels has been so great that it is probably worth reminding people that Aubameyang was a world-class striker for much of his time at Arsenal.

Indeed, from the day of his debut for the club in February 2018 until the day of his double against Everton in February 2020, no player scored more Premier League goals. He scored 49 times in that period, the same as Mohamed Salah and a dozen more than Harry Kane.

There was a notable highlight after that