In the winter of 2018, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s antics at Borussia Dortmund helped force a move to London, where he joined Arsenal. Four years later – to this day – the Gabon international used the same tactic to land Spanish giants Barcelona.
On most transfer deadline days, it seems unlikely that anyone will pursue Aubameyang, who has fallen out of favor with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and whose performances in the 2021-22 season seem unlikely. justifies his overpriced contract (four goals in 14 Premier League appearances).
But late on January 31, photos emerged of Aubameyang walking in the corridors of the Barcelona office with club president Joan Laporta and then signing papers inside the club’s office.
An agreement with Barcelona was officially announced on Wednesday, 2 February with Arsenal cutting his contract. Teams can sign free agents outside the transfer window as long as no transfer is required.
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Arsenal have re-signed procedures for the termination of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s contract at dawn this morning. Barcelona’s announcement has finally been made. 📑🔴 #FCB #AFC
– Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 1, 2022
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang #DeadlineDay The transfer from Arsenal to Barcelona is a done deal. The completed document will be passed through the systems prior to the official announcement. 32yo leaves #AFC with 92 goals in 163 games and won the FA Cup @TheAthleticUK #FCBarcelona https://t.co/qzZQp9pok8
– David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) January 31, 2022
The striker was spotted training with his new Barcelona teammates on February 1 before his move was officially announced.
Its @Auba time pic.twitter.com/B8eHCnOzYZ
– FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 2, 2022
How Aubameyang landed in Barcelona for free
Twice now Aubameyang’s exit strategy has worked for him. Other players (and clubs) will definitely pay attention by now.
After Aubameyang burst onto the scene in Europe with Dortmund, he began eyeing a move to Arsenal in the Premier League. Disappointed with the German side blocking its preferred destination, he started having problems with timeliness for group functions and making unauthorized trips.
It was at that point that Dortmund had no choice but to transfer the disgruntled player, and he joined the Arsenal red shirt, earning a big salary and eventually playing in the Premier League.
Four years, 92 goals and no Champions League appearances after that, it was a case of deja vu. It all started in March 2021 when Aubameyang was dropped from the squad for the North London derby for “disciplinary reasons”. Then, in December, the Gabon international returned to Arsenal later from a trip to France, and he expelled from the team and stripped of the captain’s armband.
Things between Aubameyang and Arsenal have been smoldering for a while. His form has declined significantly this season, and with a contract expiring in June 2023 and not being renewed, things went downhill and quickly when the 32-year-old was let go by Arteta. sit outside.
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Aubameyang departed for the Africa Cup of Nations, only to find himself sidelined with COVID-19 after attending a party in Dubai en route to Cameroon for the tournament. He will leave Africa without making a single appearance, officially due to cardiac abnormalities detected by the league’s medical staff. But rumors swirled that he was sent home for that phrase again, “disciplinary reasons.” Arsenal stuck with the official story.
There is no turning back for the Gunners. Only the back-and-forth Deadline Day saga that aligns with Aubameyang’s career trajectory stands between him and a move to Barcelona, ultimately agreeing to a free-transfer deal that will keep Arsenal out of the loop. with his exorbitant salary. reported to have gone up to $427,000 a week. (Despite the savings, Times Sport said Arsenal still had to pay Aubameyang almost 10 million dollars one time.)
Now, Aubameyang is Barcelona’s problem.
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While the player has been drawn as a villain in both of the club’s exits, he leaves each other after being credited with making a move (although he is believed to be will suffer a huge salary cut when joining Barcelona with a lack of money).
Leaving Dortmund, he joined Arsenal, the team at that time was a longtime Champions League and Premier League title candidate. Now, he’s leaving Arsenal on a rebound for Barcelona, a club not without problems of its own, but still one of the biggest brands in the world and expected to soon make a comeback.
Aubameyang is halfway down his career, there’s no doubt about that and Barcelona is said to have included an option to cancel the contract in June 2023. At 32 years old and with just four goals in 14 Premier League appearances for Arsenal this season before all the trouble begins, Barcelona would do well to see Aubameyang return to his early form at Arsenal. Arsenal as he shows off his beautiful attacking flow and superb finish in front of the net. He has a fresh start to do so, but “disciplinary matters” will always hang over his head like a dark cloud, ready to storm the Barcelona parade.
Because it certainly hasn’t rained much in Aubameyang’s parade so far. For strikers burning the ball at every turn, the ones associated with vehicles.
