Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Aubameyang FINALLY announced by Barcelona, Lacazette Lyon RETURN, Trusty SIGNS
PIERRE-EMERICK AUABMEYANG has finally been announced by Barcelona.
But it is not guaranteed that he will be able to play a part in his new club's Europa League campaign.
Under Uefa rules, Barca can only register three of their four January signings to participate in the competition.
Arsenal only brought in one player on deadline day – American defender Auston Trusty.
Trusty will be loaned back to MLS side Colorado Rapids, who share the same owner as the Gunners, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment.
And we've got the latest on Alexandre Lacazette's future, with former side Lyon eyeing the striker.
Keep up to date with all the latest Arsenal transfer news here at SunSport
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- Justin Lawrence
Low and Ozil to re-unite
Ex-germany boss Joachim Low will reportedly become the new Fenerbahce boss in the summer, despite his long-running feud with Mesut Ozil.
The move will allow Low to bury the hatchet with his former player Ozil.
Ozil and Manchester City ace Ilkay Gundogan, who are both of Turkish descent, were pictured alongside controversial Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan ahead of the 2018 World Cup.
The photo sparked outrage and when the defending champions crashed out in the group stages, Ozil seemingly became the scapegoat for Germany’s exit.
Low has expressed his desire to talk things through with Ozil.
- Justin Lawrence
Aub-ful cost
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang proved to be an expensive flop for Arsenal after signing his lucrative contract extension in 2020.
Much was made of the deal at the time and The Gunners spent big in an attempt to avoid the fiasco surrounding Alex Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey's exits from the club.
Determined not to lose their captain for nothing, Arsenal offered Aubameyang a £350,000 a week contract which he signed after a summer spent considering options elsewhere.
And Arsenal may wish he had made a different decision as his form took a MASSIVE hit after that deal.
He went on to score just 14 Premier League goals before leaving the club this week – Arsenal had to pay out £7million to cancel his contract.
That means Arsenal spent a staggering £1.2m per goal since Aubameyang renewed his contract.
- Tristan Barclay
'Proud and happy'
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has broken his silence after his sensational deadline day move to Barcelona.
The ex-Arsenal striker was the subject of one of the most dramatic transfer stories of recent years as he jetted to Spain to seal the deal.
The on-again off-again negotiations eventually saw Arsenal releasing him from his contract so he could sign as a free agent at the Nou Camp.
Now Auba – who fell out spectacularly with former boss Mikel Arteta – has spoken to Barca's social media team about his switch to Catalonia.
He said: “I’m very proud, especially because my family is Spanish from my mother’s side.
“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.”
- Tristan Barclay
Time to cash in
Arsenal made a massive saving by letting Pierre-Emerick Aubamyeng go but they could really boost the transfer coffers by selling players currently out on loan.
The Gunners currently have 17 players out on loan, including a host of youngsters.
And SunSport has calculated Mikel Arteta's side could stand to make up to £105MILLION if all of these are converted to permanent deals for players' reported values.
Arsenal could raise £105million by selling players currently out on loan - Tristan Barclay
Well this could get awkward
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is finally a Barcelona player – two years after new boss Xavi warned them against the transfer.
The 32-year-old penned his deal at the Nou Camp only 48 hours after Arsenal cancelled his contract to enable him to sign on a free transfer.
Barcelona have been linked with Aubameyang several times over recent years.
And when speculation mounted over a move back in 2020, legendary midfielder and now current Barca boss told the LaLiga giants not to buy him.
Explaining why the Gabonese international would not be a good fit in Catalonia, he said: “(Sadio) Mane and Aubemayang can kill you in open space.
“But Barcelona need players who know how to move in small spaces.
“I am thinking about a player who would adapt to Barcelona and it’s not easy to find one.
“Samuel Eto’o was perfect as is Luis Suarez right now.”
- Tristan Barclay
Smile for the camera
Arsenal are enjoying a spot of warm weather training as the Premier League continues with its winter break.
The Gunners are next in action against Burnley on January 23 in what is a crunch second half to the season for Mikel Arteta's men.
Having failed to bring in any big-name signings over the January window, it will be down to the likes of Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka to lead the charge to a top four spot.
Luckily, they don't appear to be too worried just yet…
- Tristan Barclay
Auba and out
The Gunners were forced to pay Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang £7million to cancel his contract and allow him to join Barcelona on a free transfer.
But it's not all bad news as Arsenal are set to save a whopping £29m in wages by getting him off their books.
The 32-year-old jetted off to Spain on deadline day having not featured for the North London outfit since being stripped of the captaincy last month.
He was initially made to leave with his tail between his legs after talks broke down.
The Times reports Arsenal then paid a £7m fee to make Auba a free agent so he could seal a Nou Camp move without any complications over the finances.
Now the AFC Newsroom have crunched the numbers and suggest getting the Gabon international's £350k-a-week salary off the Emirates wage bill will save them £29m.
- Tristan Barclay
Man in the arena
Arsenal can expect the arrival of new goalkeeper Matt Turner ‘very soon’, according to his current boss.
Gunners fans were expecting to see a deal wrapped up for the New England Revolution stopper by the end of January, with the player set to arrive in the summer.
But official confirmation of his signing is yet to come, leaving fans scratching their heads over whether or not he’ll be their man by the end of the season.
Now his current boss has sought to put minds at ease by saying he expects the deal to be finalised shortly.
Bruce Arena said: “If it hasn’t been fully executed, it will be.”
- Tristan Barclay
The kid's alright…
There’s one Arsenal legend who thinks the Gunners already have the man to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on their books.
The striker-turned-pundit reckons Gabriel Martinelli is ready to lead the line for Mikel Arteta after Auba’s fall from grace at the Emirates.
Usually deployed as a winger, the young Brazil star has been backed to follow the great Thierry Henry’s lead and make the switch to play up front.
Smith said: “It might just be Martinelli’s time.
“So far, he has been given a chance on the left and he has taken that chance. In order to be given an opportunity to play through the middle you have got to show you are in good form, you are fully fit and you are playing with confidence.
“He has done that so this could be a good time to move him inside.
“There is precedence there, famously Thierry Henry started on the wing and moved into the striker position to great effect.
“It is certainly an option for Arteta and one he should not be afraid to have a look at.”
- Tristan Barclay
Gunned down
Look away Arsenal fans – these quotes don't make for nice reading if you're feeling bitter about one January target…
Dusan Vlahovic claims it was ‘easy’ to snub Arsenal for the more ‘glorious’ Juventus.
The Serbian striker was one of the Gunners' top targets this month, as a replacement for the exiled Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The 22-year-old star was set to be offered a huge salary and add-on incentives to seal a move to Mikel Arteta’s side.
But he rejected a switch to North London to join the Italian giants in a £62million move.
At his unveiling on Tuesday, Vlahovic said: “I am emotional and proud to have signed for Juventus. I am ready to give my all for this glorious club to reach its objectives.
“There were many rumours about foreign clubs, but the choice was easy because the club and I have a similar DNA.
“Fight and suffer when needed. I think it’s part of my mentality as well, so the choice was not difficult. I fit in here.”
- Tristan Barclay
GOOD MORNING ARSENAL FANS
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has used just a simple love heart emoji to say goodbye to Arsenal.
The Gunners officially confirmed the star has left the club by mutual consent on Monday.
The striker has agreed with Arsenal to have his contract ripped up after four years with the Gunners.
He was spotted training with Barcelona yesterday as the ex-Dortmund ace prepares to join the LaLiga giants on a free transfer.
And despite Aubameyang's four-year spell in North London, the club issued only a snappy 150-word statement to announce his departure.
Part of that statement read: "We wish Auba all the best for the next chapter in his career and thank him for his contribution to the club."
The Gunners did post a thank you video to Aubameyang on their social media channels which the forward reposted, with no added comment, to his Instagram story.
He has now responded to it on Twitter aswell, and used only a love heart emoji with no words.
While not yet official, Aubameyang is expected to be announced as a Barcelona player after being seen in training with the Catalan club.
The 33-year-old forward leaves after making 162 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 92 goals, and helping the club win the FA Cup in 2020.
Aubameyang spent two-and-a-half years as captain, but was stripped of the role in December after arriving back in the UK late from a trip overseas.
That was seemingly the final straw for boss Mikel Arteta, with the Spaniard freezing Aubameyang out of his squad ever since.
An Arsenal exit was rumoured throughout the January window, and after surprising the Gunners by jetting into Barcelona by himself on deadline day, Aubameyang finally got his wish to leave the club.
An initial loan deal was mooted, but in the end the club agreed to cancel his contract entirely in order to avoid paying his mammoth £350,000-a-week wages.
- Sandra Brobbey
Slim pickings
Arsenal now have the Premier League’s smallest squad with just 20 players ahead of their derby clash with Tottenham.
SunSport's Martin Lipton reports the departure of 16 players in January is thought to have shaved an estimated £32million off the club’s annual wage bill.
Salary costs for the Gunners are now thought to be below £90m.
- Sandra Brobbey
Don't go for Dembele
Kevin Campbell reckons Arsenal may have 'dodged a bullet' by not signing Ousmane Dembele.
The LaLiga forward had been linked with a possible Emirates move, according to reports.
The Barcelona contract for the winger, who has struggled with injuries, is set to expire in the summer.
It is thought the Nou Camp giants were eager to sell the player they signed for £87million from Borussia Dortmund in 2017.
Campbell told Football Insider: "Arsenal dodged a bullet there. I don’t think they need Dembele.
"On his day he can be devastating but his injury record is worrying. I have watched him a lot in Spain and while he is a brilliant player, he can be just as frustrating."
- Sandra Brobbey
Ferdinand's farewell
Rio Ferdinand has wished Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang good luck as Arsenal's former striker embarks on a new career at Barcelona.
The former Gunners skipper is thought to have fallen out of favour with boss Mikel Arteta over disciplinary issues which led to him being stripped of the captain's armband.
Barcelona are reportedly set to unveil the striker as one of their newest signings this week.
But Arsenal's decision to allow the player to leave has been questioned by some of its fans.
On his FIVE YouTube Channel, Ferdinand, 43 said: "I wish him good luck, because I think for both parties Aubameyang needed to leave. For his sake, for his footballing sake, but also for Arsenal’s sake.
"I think Xavi is looking at (Aubameyang) like someone who has something to prove, wants to play football, has experience and maybe can fit the style that he wants to play. That remains to be seen."
- Sandra Brobbey
Campbell's fears
Kevin Campbell reckons questions need to be asked in regard to the 'gaping holes' in the Arsenal squad for the rest of this season.
The club were unable to bring in a new striker and a central midfielder despite reported for targets who were rumoured to include Serbia forward Dusan Vlahovic.
When asked for his views on Arsenal's January transfer efforts, Campbell told Football Insider: "Questions need to be asked of Edu, 100 per cent.
"Arsenal had holes before all of the players left and went out on loan. Now there is gaping holes. Those holes needed filling."
The Highbury icon added: "To not fill any (means) Edu has left himself wide open to criticism. It is part and parcel of the course.
"To not get in a striker or a centre-midfielder people are going to ask questions and rightly so. The fans are disappointed because we look short in those two positions now."
- Sandra Brobbey
Gunner go for Luiz?
Arsenal have been tipped to reconsider a swoop for Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz.
The Gunners were thought to be among several clubs keen on a potential January transfer move for the Brazil international.
It is claimed Steven Gerrard's side rejected three bids for the player who has 18 months left on his current contract.
Mikel Arteta is rumoured to be an admirer of Luiz, 23, after working with the midfielder at Manchester City.
And former Villa striker Kevin Phillips reckons the Emirates boss could be open to a summer swoop for the player.
Phillips told Football Insider: "He probably suits the style of play at Arsenal. Arteta likes them to play out of the back and Luiz likes to get on the ball.
"I think it is something they may reassess in the summer if the player wants to leave but right now, it’s a non-starter for me. I cannot see him leaving."
- Sandra Brobbey
Auba's exit
Arsenal have officially confirmed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's departure stating the player has left by mutual consent.
The 32-year-old striker was pictured training with his new team-mates at Barcelona earlier today.
In a statement shared via its official Twitter account, Arsenal wrote: "We wish Auba all the best for the next chapter in his career and thank him for his contribution to the club."
On Tuesday Barca president Joan Laporta said he hoped the club would be able to unveil Aubameyang as their newest signing this week.
Laporta told reporters: "We will present Adama Traore tomorrow and, if everything continues well, we will also present Aubameyang."
- Sandra Brobbey
Taking the Mik
Simon Jordan slapped down suggestions that Mikel Arteta is putting his pride before the needs of Arsenal.
The football pundit got into a heated debate with one Gunners fan on talkSPORT.
The supporter accused the Emirates boss of letting his pride cloud his judgement of players and refusing to give those doing well on loan a chance.
But Jordan was having none of it.
The talkSPORT pundit said: "It doesn’t make any sense. Sometimes, these guys can’t do wrong for doing right in the eyes of certain people.
"I don’t think it’s great but where do you expect Arsenal to be? You spent £130million in the summer transfer window and outspent most people."
- Sandra Brobbey
Hellbent on Wilshere
Darren Bent says he intends to have a chat with Jack Wilshere about the possibility of signing for Arsenal.
Bent told talkSPORT: "I don’t understand why they can’t do some kind of deal – pay-as-you-play or short-term until the end of the season.
"I honestly don’t get it – I’m gonna grill him when I see him.
“He understands the club, he loves the club, he’s training there every single day, he looks fit.
“That would’ve been perfect, just get more bodies in there."
- Sandra Brobbey
Auba exit gamble
Arsenal hero Alan Smith reckons Mikel Arteta has taken a 'gamble' in allowing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to leave the club.
The former Gunners frontman has been pictured training with his new team-mates at Barcelona having sealed a transferto the Nou Camp.
Aubameyang, 32, who was initially thought to be moving on loan, made a permanent switch to the LaLiga side on Monday.
Former Gunners frontman Smith, 59, told Sky Sports: "It is a gamble. Every time the team cannot score a goal, that will be thrown in his face and I am sure he is fully aware of that and prepared for it.
"But he may just have the freedom now to try one or two things like playing Gabriel Martinelli down the middle at times.
"I thought Arteta might try and get Aubameyang back on side given the vast outlay Arsenal had made on him. But only the manager and the player would know what the chances of that actually were."
- Sandra Brobbey
Lyon's Laca chase
Lyon have reportedly made Alexandre Lacazette their number one target in the summer transfer window.
French sports outlet L'Equipe claims the Ligue One side hope to lure the striker back to France with his current Gunners deal due to expire in June.
Arsenal are currently a little light on the striker front following Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang's departure for Barcelona.
The club, who are currently sixth in the Prem, netted two goals in five games across all competitions in January.
- Sandra Brobbey
Go for Flo
Arsenal are rumoured to be eyeing a free transfer move for Hoffenheim midfielder Florian Grillitsch.
Reports in Germany claim the Gunners and their Prem rivals Newcastle are keen on the Bundesliga ace who will become a free agent in the summer.
And German sports magazine Kicker claims Lazio, Napoli and Roma are also monitoring the 26-year-old's situation.
It is reported the Austria midfielder, who has 26 international caps, is currently able to sign a pre-contractual agreement with any interested clubs.
- Sandra Brobbey
Juve move was easy
Dusan Vlahovic claims rejecting a potential Arsenal move for Juventus was an 'easy' choice.
The Serbia forward, 22, had been heavily linked with the Gunners but decided to leave Fiorentina for Juve in a £58million deal.
The Serie A star, who netted 20 goals for his old side last season, moved to Turin on a four-year contract this month.
At his official unveiling as a Juve player, Vlahovic said: "I am ready to give my all for this glorious club to reach its objectives.
"There were many rumours about foreign clubs, but the choice was easy because the club and I have a similar DNA."
- Sandra Brobbey
Petit's Aubameyang dig
Emmanuel Petit reckons Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's motivation dipped at Arsenal after he sealed his final deal with the club.
The ex-Gunner brought the curtain down on his five-year stint at the Emirates after sealing a free transfer to Barcelona on Monday.
The Gabon striker had not played for Mikel Arteta's side since being stripped of the captain's armband in December due to disciplinary issues.
Before then the former Dortmund star netted 92 goals in 163 games in an Arsenal shirt.
Highbury hero Petit told Gambling.com: "Aubameyang needs to understand that you have to show a high level week-after-week and the fact he signed a new contract for big, big money may not be related to his current issue, but I will say the coincidence is huge.
"Straight after he signed that contact, he wasn’t the same player anymore.
"It wouldn’t have mattered if his future was with Arsenal or somewhere else, he needs to understand he has to go back to the player he was, with the same motivation and mentality that he had."
- Jake Lambourne
Deal or no deal?
Arsenal are set to hand Mikel Arteta and star man Bukayo Saka new contracts this summer, according to reports.
The Gunners are planning for the future, and that includes tying their young manager and players down to long-term deals.
And according to Football.London, boss Arteta will be offered a new deal with his current contract expiring in 2023.
The Spaniard won an FA Cup in his first season in charge, and after a spending frenzy last summer on young talent, Arsenal find themselves back in top four contention.
The Gunners are invested in Arteta's project.
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