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Football London
Football London
Sport
Kaya Kaynak

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang transfer on verge of collapse despite Arsenal star's trip to Barcelona

Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's arrival in Barcelona on Monday morning came before any agreement has been reached between the two clubs over a move football.london understands.

The 32-year-old has not been involved in a matchday squad for the Gunners since being stripped of the club captaincy last month and is thought to no longer be part of Mikel Arteta's first team plans after not being invited to the midseason warm weather training camp in Dubai.

Despite interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia, the Gabon international was spotted arriving at an airport in Catalonia, leading many to assume that he was about to finalise a loan switch to the Nou Camp.

However, football.london understands that an agreement has not been reached over a deal at time of writing with just hours remaining of the January transfer window.

Spanish media have suggested that La Blaugrana officials were surprised to hear of Aubameyang's arrival and further reports have suggested that he flew out to Catalonia of his own accord for a family trip.

Talks have now reportedly broken down due to a disagreement over how exactly the 32-year-old's salary would be split between the two clubs.

With Aubameyang unlikely to be welcomed back into the first team fold at time of writing, the Gunners a little short up front, as they look to qualify for Champions League football for the first time in half a decade.

As things stand, with Flo Balogun having joined Middlesbrough on loan until the end of the season, the only orthodox number nines in the squad are Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah, although Gabriel Martinelli has played there in the past under Arteta.

Nketiah had been the subject of late interest from Newcastle, who are willing to take him on a permanent basis before his contract expires in the summer, but at time of writing it appears that he will be staying at the Emirates to see out the remainder of his deal.

football.london also understands that any move for Raul de Tomas of Espanyol is highly unlikely at this late stage in the transfer window.

Alexander Isak meanwhile has been pictured back in training with Real Sociedad. The Swedish forward is someone who Arsenal have been tracking this month after missing out on top centre forward target Dusan Vlahovic to Juventus.

For all the latest news as it happens around Arsenal on deadline day follow our live blog here.

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