Arsenal told transfer business is ‘madness’ as pundits row over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang exit
Arsenal’s decision to grant the Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang exit on a free transfer to Barcelona has been branded “madness” by one pundit.
The Gunners became willing to allow the 32-year-old to leave after stripping him of the captaincy in December following a disciplinary issue. Indeed, the 32-year-old has not turned out for Mikel Arteta’s men since December 6 and was not included in their warm-weather training camp in Dubai.
Aubameyang, who scored 92 goals in 163 games for the club, leaves Emirates Stadium inside the final 18 months of a contract worth £350,000 a week.
It’s estimated that Arsenal will make a saving of around £25m in wages with Aubameyang’s departure.
And while he has taken a wage cut to move to Barcelona, the transfer is certainly one that pleases Aubameyang.
However, his exit means Arteta will have just two recognised strikers in his squad. But both Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette will be out of contract this summer.
It all means Arsenal will have plenty of thinking to do in the meantime regarding their strikeforce.
For Aubamayeng though, he departs Arsenal exactly four years to the day that he first arrived at Arsenal in a £56m deal.
Reviewing the decision to let Aubameyang depart on a free, Shay Given told Sky Sports that his exit has left him shocked.
Given said: “We talked about the fee. It was £56m that they paid for him, Aubameyang, and they let him go on a free. In any business, in any other world, it’s madness.”
Morrison backs Aubameyang exit
However, his fellow pundit Clinton Morrison insists the Gunners were left with little choice.
He also insists there was no way back for Aubameyang while Arteta was still in charge.
“It’s the right decision,” Morrison said. “Arteta had to make his stand and it was the point of no return. Ideally you get a fee for him, but time was against them. Look at the money they are saving on his contract, what is it (?), like £25m.
“They could not afford to have the player sitting doing nothing earning all that money. Arsenal have been there before with Mesut Ozil. They were left with little choice.”
Arsenal land USA defender
Meanwhile, Arsenal have confirmed they have signed USA defender Auston Trusty on a permanent deal, and his pathway into Mikel Arteta’s starting eleven has been revealed.
The news was confirmed via their official website, with the 23-year-old signing a permanent deal.
Standing at 6ft 4in tall, the commanding centre-half caught the eye last season. Indeed, he played a pivotal role in the Rapids’ march to the top of the MLS Western Conference table.
Trusty will be loaned straight back to Colorado for the next five months. He will then link up with his new Gunners teammates in May.
Arsenal’s article suggested Trusty will then be loaned to a European side in 2022/23 in order to gain further experience.
As such, Arsenal fans may not see Trusty in a Gunners shirt for another 18 months.
Nonetheless, with a clear plan to aid his development already in place, Arteta will be hoping his new signing can make an impact from 2023 and beyond.
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