Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang closes in on Arsenal exit as Barcelona and Juventus make ‘official approaches’ for exiled striker

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s career at Arsenal could soon be coming to an end, with Barcelona and Juventus both making ‘official approaches’ for the exiled striker, according to reports.

After being stripped of his captaincy and left out of the first team, the Gunners striker was still unlikely to be part of Mikel Arteta’s plans again and could be set for a new adventure in Spain or Italy.

Athletic have reported that the Serie A and La Liga giants are keen to land the 32-year-old until the end of the season.

Aubameyang also wants to move to Juve or Barca as he will still have the chance to play at the highest level.

With the January transfer window just days away, Arsenal and either club will need to move quickly to close the deal.

The Times also say Arsenal should sign a striker before sanctioning a move, having recently been linked with Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak and Everton star Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Speaking on talkSPORT, football correspondent Alex Crook joined the Weekend Sports Breakfast to provide an update on the deal.

“The interest is certainly real, but it’s going to be a complicated business to make,” he said.

“He is Arsenal’s top earner on a salary of around £350,000 a week and, should he be loaned out to Europe, Arsenal would need to recoup a significant percentage of that.

“Barcelona are also chasing other attacking targets, and they need to get rid of Ousmane Dembele to free up a place on Aubameyang’s wage bill.

“If it’s going to happen, I think it will be the one that happens late in the day on Monday.”

Arteta has been asked to bring Aubameyang back into the first-team fold after being left out of the squad that traveled to Dubai for a winter training camp.

Invincibles legend Ray Parlor is among those backing the forward to work his way into the squad, but talkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino believes there is no going back for Aubameyang at Arsenal as he has lost his manager’s trust.

“It’s difficult for Arsenal,” added the former Chelsea striker.

“Obviously Arteta has lost all faith and trust in him.

“It went way beyond his late comeback after his absence, it feels like it’s a bit personal between the two of them and their relationship has broken down.”

Reports claim talks are underway with Arsenal, Barcelona and Juventus over the split of Aubameyang’s £350,000 salary for the final four months of the campaign.

It is also said that no club is concerned about his professionalism, despite the sour end to his time at the Emirates Stadium.