Thumbs up: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates after Arsenal rip up contract to seal Barcelona move

Arsenal have terminated Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s contract with the striker now set to be unveiled by Barcelona on a free transfer – though the deal will not be confirmed until Tuesday.

The Gabon international enjoyed a prolific career in north London, netting 92 goals in 163 appearances, and was handed a lucrative new contract in the summer of 2020 which made him the highest-paid player at the club.

But, after the latest in a long line of disciplinary issues, Aubameyang was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy by manager Mikel Arteta at the end of last year and banished from the squad.

The 32-year-old has not played for Arsenal since a 2-1 defeat away to Everton on December 6, when he came off the bench late on, and that will be his last ever appearance for the Gunners.

Although neither club have officially confirmed the deal, Aubameyang was at Barcelona’s offices where he smiled and laughed when asked if he would be joining Barcelona before giving a thumbs up to the cameras.

Because Arsenal have terminated his contract, the deal did not have to be completed prior to Monday’s 11pm deadline and Barca are expected to officially confirm Aubameyang’s arrival at an unveiling on Tuesday morning at 9.30am.

<p lang=«es» dir=«ltr» xml:lang=«es»>ð¸Â¡IMAGEN @elchiringuitotv!ð¸ ðPULGAR ARRIBA y ð¬SONRISA de AUBAMEYANG (@auba) tras las preguntas de @10JoseAlvarez sobre su FICHAJE por el BARÃA. #ChiringuitoFichajes pic.twitter.com/cQxQI3kt8r

Arsenal and Barcelona had initially been in talks over a loan move for Aubameyang, with the former Dortmund frontman even flying to Catalunya of his own accord to help push through the move.

However, the deal appeared to be on the verge of collapse on Monday afternoon when the Gunners made it clear they