ARSENAL will reluctantly cash in on star man Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this summer if the striker fails to sign a new deal, according to reports.
The Gabon international is a key cog in Mikel Arterta’s side having scored 17 goals in 25 games this season.
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But his deal at the Emirates expires next summer as he continues to hold off putting pen-to-paper.
Aubameyang, 30, is aware he is approaching the latter years of his career and wants to be playing Champions League football.
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Arsenal face an uphill battle to qualify for Europe’s elite competition but have been encouraged with the news that Man City’s ban could reward them if they can secure a fifth-place finish.
Aubameyang has also been impressed with Arteta’s arrival since his appointment in December having lost just one match.
But the Daily Mail write that Arsenal would be open to selling him to avoid losing him on a free transfer.
He will not be short of suitors with both Inter Milan and Barcelona closely monitoring his situation.
Speaking on the prospect of losing Auba, Arteta said: “They are completely right to want him because he’s a superb player.
He completely deserves to be liked by other teams — but hopefully we can convince him this is the right place for him. That he has a future here.
“Hopefully not just wins like this will help keep him — but also what we are trying to do.
“He really enjoys it on the pitch every time he goes out and he feels very much part of what we’re trying to build here.
“I think he’s in that mindset at the moment.”
Aubameyang has scored 60 goals in 95 games since he joined the Gunners from Borussia Dortmund in 2018.
