Barcelona ‘ready to offer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang an escape from his Arsenal nightmare’

Barcelona are reportedly eyeing a January swoop for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang amid uncertainty over his future at Arsenal. The Gunners confirmed on Tuesday December 14, that Aubameyang, 32, has been stripped of the club captaincy over disciplinary breaches. The Gabonese striker was first axed from the squad that recorded a 3-0 win over Southampton on Saturday after reporting back for club duty late from an approved trip to France to collect his sick mother, who has been unwell. The Independent has now claimed Barca could offer him an “escape route from his Emirates nightmare next month.” The Catalans are reportedly considering Aubameyang as a winter target amid their desire to add a new striker to their ranks for newly-appointed boss Xavi. Aubameyang, who is on £350,000 a week and still has 18 months to run on his Arsenal contract, may not be prepared to accept a pay-cut to join Barcelona amid the club’s financial constraints.