Barcelona considering reuniting with former Arsenal star this summer – Report | OneFootball

This summer has already brought along various kinds of complications for Barcelona to deal with. Beyond just signings, the club is also working towards contract renewals and other deals as well. However, Barcelona seems to be happy enough with the way things are progressing.

Beyond just completing key renewals such as those of star players like Lamine Yamal, the club has also managed to reinforce the squad in one way or another. Two major signings have arrived this summer as well, with Joan Garcia arriving on a permanent deal and Marcus Rashford joining on a loan deal from Manchester United.

Beyond these arrivals, it seems to be unlikely that they would be making any more signings. After all, Joan Laporta himself stated that the club is not looking to bring in more signings this summer beyond what they already have.

Barcelona looking to reunite with their former striker

Aubameyang previously played for Barcelona under Xavi. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

However, as per the latest update from Fichajes, there is another signing that the club is considering right now. That signing would involve Gabonese player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, a centre-forward who has formerly played for Barcelona as well under Xavi Hernandez.

Now, at 36 years old, it is true that the player is no longer the dynamic, young striker that he once was. However, there is no questioning his ability, and Barcelona would likely consider signing him as an option on the bench for Polish striker Robert Lewandowski.

With the Barcelona ace now needing more rest than before, having a player with Aubameyang’s quality and experience as his back-up would not exactly hurt. Moreover, the report suggests that the Gabonese striker would be open to the move and would be willing to significantly reduce his salary as well to make the operation feasible for Barça.

Favourable financial terms to consider

Aubameyang is also a former Arsenal player. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Reportedly, he would be willing to reduce his salary from the previous €20 million he was earning per season in the Middle East to a figure between €2.5 million to €4 million. Currently, he is also a free agent following the termination of his contract with Saudi Arabian side Al-Qadsiah, meaning that there would be no transfer fee involved either.

From a financial standpoint, it is the kind of deal that would not hurt Barcelona despite their vulnerable position in that regard. Moreover, he has experience of what it is like to play for the club, and did so expertly well when he joined the club midway through the 2021-2022 season.

He also formerly played for the London-based club Arsenal and was a force to be reckoned with. During his time with the Gunners, he scored 92 goals for them and provided 21 assists across 163 games.

However, the player does remain strongly linked with former club Marseille. As a result of this, and Barça’s own financial restrictions, this deal does seem unlikely to materialise without a proper foundation. Still, it remains an operation worth keeping an eye on.