Mesut Ozil's astronomical wages may be proving problematic in Arsenal's negotiations with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, believes Ray Parlour, who insists his former club would not “get anywhere near the top four” without their captain.
The Gabon international has just 12 months remaining on his deal, though Standard Sport understands an announcement over fresh terms on a three-year deal is now close.
The 31-year-old played a crucial role in securing European football for Arsenal, scoring a match-winning brace in their FA Cup triumph over Chelsea.
Aubameyang scored 29 goals in 44 appearances across all competitions, a tally Parlour believes is entirely irreplaceable. The former midfielder insists the relationship he has with manager Mikel Arteta is evident, however.
“You can’t replace those goals that he scores. The signs are positive that he might stay, which would be great news,” Parlour told talkSPORT.
“I see the relationship with the manager, which is so important. You can see when the final whistle went against Chelsea – Arteta straight over to Aubameyang. I know he scored the two goals but you can see that the relationship is pretty good."
But Parlour believes Aubameyang's relationship with the club will not be a factor in his decision to stay. Rather, he insists it's finances that will be at the forefront of the negotiations.
And with Ozil sat on the periphery of Arsenal's squad, picking up a reported £350,000-a-week despite recently failing to make the squad, Parlour believes Aubameyang's representatives will certainly have taken notice.
He added: “It’s going to come down to money, what are you going to have to pay him?
“The problem is we’ve got Ozil sitting on £350,000-a-week and Aubameyang’s going to say ‘I want the same’. His representatives can say ‘wait a minute, there’s a player out there who is not even playing so we want 350-a-week’.
"Whether that can do a deal at 250 or 275, I think that’s what they will be aiming for.
“If he does leave, there aren’t enough goals around the team to get anywhere near the top four.”
Meanwhile, new signing Willian has also spoken of Aubameyang's importance to the team. The Brazilian, upon signing a three-year deal with the club, insisted he came to win trophies, with the promise their captain remains a part of Arteta's plans.
