Report reveals Arsenal paid huge ‘lump sum’ to terminate Auba deal
Arsenal paid Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang a huge ‘lump sum’ to terminate his contract at the Emirates Stadium, according to reports.
The Gabon forward declared himself “proud and happy” to have joined Barcelona, with the move confirmed a day after Arsenal announced they had released Aubameyang from his contract.
The 32-year-old former Gunners captain was released by the club on Monday, having not made an appearance since being disciplined in December.
London quartet features in best XI of the season so far
Aubameyang arrived in Barcelona on Monday morning, sparking rumours of a loan move to the LaLiga side although confusion reigned as no agreement had been reached as deadline day drew on.
Talks progressed during Monday and Arsenal announced the following day that they had agreed to allow Aubameyang to leave the club by mutual consent.
And following the official announcement this morning, The Times claimed that the free transfer ‘required the north London club to pay him a lump sum, believed to be almost £7 million, to terminate his £350,000-a-week contract with them’.
The Gabon international is ‘believed to have taken a pay cut’ to join the Catalan giants with an £83m release clause contained in his contract at the Camp Nou.
He could yet make his Barcelona debut against Atletico Madrid this weekend as the pair battle it out for the Champions League spots in La Liga with Barcelona already dropping down into the Europa League this season.
𝑨 𝑼 𝑩 𝑨 𝑴 𝑬 𝒀 𝑨 𝑵 𝑮 pic.twitter.com/iwwRr8AXBJ
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 2, 2022
Speaking on an interview on Barcelona’s official Twitter feed, Aubameyang made it clear what his aims were having signed a deal until 2025.
“I’m very proud, especially because my family is Spanish from my mother’s side,” he said.
“I’m really proud and happy to be here. My main goal is to help the team and give everything I can to bring the team back into the Champions League and stuff like that.
“I’m just happy to be here and I will try to give everything.
“It’s amazing to have him (Xavi) as a coach, he’s been a fantastic player as everyone knows and I’m sure as a coach he will bring us something that we will learn.”
