Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has confirmed he turned down an offer from Barcelona in order to sign a new long-term deal at the Emirates.
The 31-year-old finally put an end to the speculation over his future earlier this month by signing a three-year deal in north London, making him the second highest paid player at the club in the process.
Aubameyang allowed his contract to run into its final year with the Gunners and he was set on leaving while Unai Emery was at the helm.
Had the former Dortmund forward informed Arsenal that he would not sign an extension the club would have had little option but to cash in on the striker.
Thankfully for them Aubameyang decided to stay but the striker has revealed that he rejected an offer from La Liga giants Barcelona in order to do so.
‘They were several offers, notably from Barcelona,’ Aubameyang told Canal+.
‘My priority was to stay for two reasons – the first is the coach, Mikel Arteta, because we spoke a fair amount during the ‘lockdown’ & he convinced me, notably in terms of the project.
‘And of course, secondly, is the love that I receive from the fans & people at the club.
‘Since I have been here, I have been treated like one of their own & as I am one of their own, I am going to stay here. It is as simple as that.’
Aubameyang joined the club for a fee of £57m in 2018 but he’s paid that back with 72 goals in 112 appearances for the Gunners.
Barcelona allowed Luis Suarez to join Atletico Madrid earlier this week and Ronald Koeman is keen on signing a more mobile centre forward in Aubameyang’s mould.
The Catalans kicked off their La Liga campaign on Sunday night with a comprehensive 4-0 win against Emery’s Villarreal, though Koeman admitted afterwards that he remains keen on signing a striker.
‘It’s always nice to have a ‘9’ but you can play without one,’ said Koeman.
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