Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is likely to make the headlines for some months to come.
The Gabonese striker will enter the final year of his contract at the Emirates Stadium at the end of this season, with the frontman able to leave Arsenal for free in the summer of 2021.
Aubameyang has been one of the best strikers in the Premier League since arriving at Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018.
He has netted 61 goals in 97 appearances for the Gunners - an incredible record - winning the Premier League Golden Boot last season.
Turning 31 in June, the frontman probably has one big contract left in him and he would not be short of suitors given his incredible Premier League return and his scoring record for Dortmund in the five years prior to his arrival in England.
Chelsea have emerged as contenders for his signature in recent days, adding to the name of Barcelona, who have a long-standing interest in the striker.
A report in the Express over the weekend stated that the Gunners had "pulled the plug" on contract negotiations with Aubameyang, feeling that it would be better to sell the 30-year-old rather than lose him for nothing when his contract runs out in 12 months.
There have been plenty of rumours around the Gabonese's contract status and the negotiations between him, his agent and the club in the past 12 months.
Yet for all the club’s fears over losing another crucial forward and speculation over where he could go next there is one simple truth - throughout this season Arsenal have not held talks with Aubameyang nor his representatives over extending a contract that expires in the summer of 2021.
The coronavirus pandemic has thrown the entire football world into chaos and while football.london understands Arsenal are planning on an assumption that their fixtures will take place behind closed doors until 2021, that will have a massive impact on the Gunners over any other side in the league - a major loss expected to be in excess of £50million.
In Arsenal’s current financial circumstances selling Aubameyang at the right price may make sense but the sporting logic for keeping him is indisputable.
