‘Arsenal have major decision to make over Auba in the summer’

Joe Williams
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Arsenal

Arsenal will “have to” sell Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the summer if he still hasn’t renewed his contract, according to former striker Kevin Campbell.

Aubameyang has been linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium, with his contract set to run out next summer.

Barcelona have been the most heavily linked potential buyer, with reports even going as far as saying he had given his approval to the move.

Barca technical secretary Eric Abidal admitted the club’s interest in the Gabon international on Wednesday.

Campbell told AFTV: “My thoughts are Arsenal can’t afford to be in a difficult situation, sticky situation, having a player run his contract down anymore.

“I think it’s got to be put on the table to Aubameyang and I’m sure, if they’re in their right mind, they’ve been negotiating.

“So it’s going to come to the summer, it’s going to come to a head in the summer. If Aubameyang isn’t going to sign, they’re going to have to sell him.

“They’re going to have to get something for him in order to replace him. I think that’s the key.

“We can’t afford to lose his goals but a different solution probably has to come about. And this is where a lot of the trust in [Mikel] Arteta is going to come into play.

“I think either way, if he’s going to run his contract down, he’s going to have to be sold.

“If they don’t replace, let’s say they’re not going to replace him, that money has got to be used for other parts of the team. I think that’s really important.

“If we don’t re-sign Aubameyang, that money that we sell Aubameyang for has to be used to strengthen other areas.

“Attacking midfielder, winger, or whatever. We need other components within this team because we are still unbalanced.”