Mikel Arteta wants to resolve Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s future before stepping up his Arsenal rebuild this summer.
Aubameyang captained Arsenal to FA Cup glory against Chelsea on Saturday, scoring twice to cancel out Christian Pulisic’s opener, and the Gunners are desperate for him to sign a new deal.
The forward’s current contract expires in next June and Arteta has made tying him down to fresh terms this summer a priority, with the Spaniard hoping to hear news on the Gabon international’s future this week.
Arteta hopes Aubameyang will be at the centre of his Arsenal rebuild and as such wants to know the 31-year-old’s plans before pressing ahead with other deals.
A new deal for Aubameyang is likely to cost Arsenal £40million over three years, with the forward’s pay due to rise to from £180,000-a-week to £250,000-a-week.
Such a sum is a sizeable investment by Arsenal and the club will want to know if they need to budget for it before investing elsewhere.
Arteta has previously spoken of “uncertainties” going into this summer transfer window, with Aubameyang’s future and qualification for Europe two of them.
Arsenal have resolved the latter of those by securing a spot in next season’s Europa League after winning the FA Cup and now their focus is on Aubameyang.
They remain confident a deal for Aubameyang can be struck, with Arteta once again bullish on Saturday in his belief the club’s captain would stay.
“I think he wants to stay and it is just about getting the deal done,” said Arteta. “He is loved by everybody at the club. Hopefully he can continue with us.”
While Aubameyang will receive a pay rise, a key part of negotiations over a new deal have centred around the forward being sold on Arteta’s plans.
Despite qualifying for the Europa League, Arsenal will not have large summer transfer budget this summer.
Arteta, however, is still keen to strengthen his squad and central midfield is a key area he is targeting. The club are hopeful Dani Ceballos will extend his loan from Real Madrid for a year, while Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey is a top target.
A new defender is now also being considered after Shkodran Mustafi was ruled out until October due to a hamstring injury. Malang Sarr is available for free after leaving Rennes, while John Stones’ future at Manchester City is uncertain too.
At the other end of the pitch, Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho has been offered to Arsenal, and other Premier League clubs, and is another possible signing. Barcelona want a loan fee of £9m and half of the Brazilian’s £240,000-a-week wage to be paid for a deal to get done.
That could prove too pricey for Arsenal but their budget could be boosted by players leaving. Both Matteo Guendouzi and Mesut Ozil are in the shop window, however the latter’s £350,000-a-week wages are a stumbling block.
Ozil, who has not played a minute of football since March, has publicly insisted he does not plan to go anywhere this summer and will instead see out the final year of his contract. Sides in America, Asia and Turkey are interested in him - but can’t match his wages.
Clubs in Turkey are keen to sign Mohamed Elneny, who spent last year at Besiktas, while Roma are expected to keep Henrikh Mkhitaryan after a fine season in Italy.
Defenders Sokratis, who has one year left on his contract, could also be sold to raise funds, but the Greek’s wages of around £90,000-a-week will make it hard to find a buyer.
