How much will Arsenal save on wages from Aubameyang move?
Martin Macdonald
- 3 Feb 2022 17:13 GMT
- 3 min read
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's time at Arsenal is over after he agreed a deadline day move to Barcelona.
Previously a fan favourite with the Gunners, Aubemyang was stripped of the captaincy earlier this season by manager Mikel Arteta.
The Gabon international was and still is a maverick, but his highlight reel has often been overshadowed by disciplinary problems.
After an incident believed to be involving timekeeping, Arteta made the decision to take the captaincy off the player, but also to exile from first-team training and matchday squads.
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Aubameyang's absence coincided with an upturn in form for Arsenal, which vindicated Arteta's decision to leave him out.
The saga received a break over the last couple of weeks due to the Africa Cup of Nations, but that was swiftly brought to an end after the former Borussia Dortmund striker was sent back to the Emirates after being diagnosed with heart lesions.
A return to Milan was mentioned as well as a potential move to the Middle East, but neither of these options materialised.
Aubameyang was linked with Barcelona even before the transfer window, and both parties eventually got their wish thanks to a deadline day deal.
Arsenal to save millions after Aubameyang departure
Initially, it was believed that Aubameyang would leave on loan with the option to buy for Barcelona.
But, Arsenal eventually made the decision to simply let him leave for free.
This raised some eyebrows as fans questioned why the club did not attempt to gain a transfer fee.
However, Barcelona were not in a position to afford a transfer fee and the only way for the move to happen was via a loan or a free transfer.
Arsenal allowed him to leave for free as it would mean Aubameyang's exorbitant wages coming off the salary bill.
The player earned £350,000 per week at the Emirates, and now that he has departed, the club will save millions.
Taking into account how long he had remaining on his deal, Arsenal will save £29 million.
