Aubameyang swap deal on the cards as Arsenal offered Barcelona star in return for striker
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could exit Arsenal on deadline day as part of a swap deal involving a Barcelona star, according to a report.
Aubameyang appears eager to leave the Emirates after a troublesome few months. He has lost the captaincy following a disciplinary breach and also contracted Covid-19.
The centre-forward has been offered several exit routes, including to Saudi Arabia with Al Nassr. Juventus, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain are also keen to sign him.
But Barcelona are now the frontrunners to complete a deal, according to several outlets. The Guardian write that Aubameyang has an agreement in place to move to the Nou Camp.
However, Xavi’s side need to offload one or two players to fit the Gabon international on their wage bill.
The Independent claim Barca are gunning for a solution. They are apparently investigating whether to involve Ousmane Dembele in Aubameyang’s transfer.
That would see the French winger move to north London, thus ending his nightmare four-and-a-half-year spell with Barca.
Aubameyang could swap with Dembele
Dembele had been in line for a deadline-day switch to Paris Saint-Germain, but that has now fallen through.
With Tottenham also out of the race, Arsenal could snap up the 24-year-old. The Gunners now need to decide if a swap deal is possible before 11pm.
The Independent provide a separate update on Aubameyang and Arsenal’s striker hunt. They state Mikel Arteta’s side are unlikely to land a replacement in January.
This comes after transfer target Dusan Vlahovic joined Juventus for an initial £58million on January 28.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Alexander Isak and Ollie Watkins are all potential alternatives, but Arteta will seemingly rely on Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah for the rest of the campaign.
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Arsenal have Arthur Melo hope
Arsenal still have an outside chance of securing the signing of Arthur Melo from Juventus – with the Italians seemingly closing in on a new midfielder of their own.
A move to sign Arthur from Juve has long been their top target. Indeed, lengthy talks with the Italian giants reportedly saw Arsenal strike an agreement to sign him on an 18-month loan – only for the deal to stall late on.
Part of that reason was down to Juve’s unwillingness to leave their own midfield options looking light.
However, we understand that Massimiliano Allegri’s side remain in the hunt to sign a new midfielder on deadline day.
And with a top target in mind, that signing could yet see the Gunners secure the capture of Arthur.
Indeed, Juventus’ top target is Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria.
The Swiss star is available for transfer, having rejected the offer of a new deal with the Bundesliga side.
As such, he can sign a pre-contract agreement now ahead of a summer move. But Juve are looking to sign him now, paying Gladbach around £10m in order to do so.
READ MORE: Tottenham miss out as Mikel Arteta assistant ‘calls up target’ to convince him to join Arsenal
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