Gunners’ prodigal Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joined Barcelona on deadline day in a surprise permanent move as a loan switch had been touted, despite the two clubs not being able to reach an agreement over how to split his huge salary.
After the loan route was ruled out, the Gunners were still able to sanction a massive saving on the remainder of Aubameyang’s contract when they allowed the hitman to move for free as Aubameyang reportedly took a significant pay-cut to help facilitate the deal.
The Gabonese’s signing for th e beleaguered Barcelona is akin to a marquee transfer considering that the present day Barcelona are far removed from the side that featured Lionel Messi and gang in th early glamor days of their pomp.
All the same, the rebuilding work has to begin somewhere and Barca seems to have enjoyed a very impressive January despite all their financial troubles having also brought in Ferran Torres, Dani Alves and Adama Traore to strengthen their group.
Speaking on Tuesday, Barcelona president Joan Laporta says Aubameyang will be presented to supporters on Wednesday alongside Adama Traore.
“I like to give good news rather than bad news. Some good news is the end to our winter transfer market,” said Laporta, via Metro.
“We will present Adama Traore tomorrow and, if everything continues well, we will also present Aubameyang.”
Barca’s immediate priority will be to secure Champions League qualification as Xavi’s side currently sit fifth, a point adrift of reigning champions Atletico Madrid in fourth.
Xavi will also have his eyes on Europa League progress, with an exciting tie against Napoli next on the horizon. However, under UEFA rules, Barcelona can only register three new signings for the next phase of the competition.
That means one of their new arrivals will be forced to miss out. And with LaLiga taking priority, it may well see Xavi taking the calculated risk of leaving Aubameyang out of his plans for Europe.
The striker would surely push to be included, but with Dani Alves a shoo-in, one of Torres, Traore or Aubameyang face missing out.