Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang lands in Barcelona but hurdles to overcome before Arsenal exit

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has touched down in Catalonia as the 32-year-old takes a step closer to sealing his loan switch to FC Barcelona from Arsenal.

The Gabon international has not been seen in a Gunners shirt since early December after manager Mikel Arteta stripped him of the club captaincy and has forced him to train alone following his latest disciplinary breach.

As a result, Aubameyang is desperate to end his time at the Emirates, so much so that he is reportedly willing to forgo the astronomical wages he finds himself on in north London.

Following his FA Cup heroics of 2020, Aubameyang was rewarded with a mega-money contract that sees him take home £350,000 per-week while at Arsenal - money that Barcelona simply cannot afford to offer him due to their own precarious financial situation.

However, Aubameyang is expected to take a drastic pay-cut in a bid to force through the move to Xavi's side and ensure he plays regularly for the second half of the season.

Barcelona have been aware of Aubameyang's desire to leave all window, but have instead prioritised the arrivals of Ferran Torres and Adama Traore before diverting their attention towards Arsenal's striker.

There were initial fears from Barcelona's end that any deal for Aubameyang may fall through given they would have to shift Ousmane Dembele off of the wage bill first.

Fortunately from a Barcelona perspective, that is now no longer the case as Aubameyang's willingness to reduce his wage demands has ensured there is space for the pair of former Borussia Dortmund stars.

For a deal that has thrown up a number of complications, Aubameyang is incredibly confident he will don the famous red and blue strip very soon and was spotted signing Barcelona shirts