Arsenal are reportedly open to selling Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in a cut-price deal this summer out of fear of losing him for nothing.
The Gunners captain is no closer to signing an extension on his current contract, which only runs until 2021.
Club chiefs have grown anxious about Aubameyang leaving on a Bosman free transfer at the end of next season, and are desperate not to face another situation like they had with Aaron Ramsey.
The Sun report that Arsenal are now willing to let Aubameyang leave the club for just £30million - half of what they paid for him in 2018.
Mikel Arteta is still keen to keep Aubameyang at the club but knows he is almost chasing a lost cause to persuade him to commit to the club.
Aubameyang's father has even prompted his son to put pen to paper on a new deal, but the 30-year-old is happy to bide his time, knowing he has plenty of other clubs interested in his signature.
Ramsey adopted a similar tactic last year, holding out for a bumper contract offer from Arsenal which never came, before eventually jumping ship to Juventus.
Arsenal are trying hard to reduce their wage bill and are not prepared to offer Aubameyang parity with top earner Mesut Ozil on £350,000 per week, particularly as they look set to let the German midfielders deal run down until it expires next year.
Aubameyang has no shortage of potential suitors though, with Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Man Utd all linked with a move for his services.
With transfer funds expected to be tight all round this summer, a move for Aubameyang would represent an affordable opportunity.
Arsenal do not have cash to burn themselves and by offloading Aubameyang on the cheap, they feel they will at least boost their own transfer kitty for Arteta to use elsewhere.
One player who is on Arteta's wishlist is Chelsea star Willian, who is a free agent this summer.
The Brazilian is set to leave Chelsea after seven years, but is hopeful of staying in London.
A sticking point for Arsenal though is Willian's contract demands, as he wants a three-year deal on the same £120,000-per-week salary he is currently on at Stamford Bridge.
Gunners chiefs are not keen on offering the player such a long-term deal given he will turn 32 in the summer, but talks are said to be ongoing.
