Barcelona considers Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang like Alvaro Morata’s stalled negotiations

Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was one of the players Barcelona are looking at as a short-term solution to their scoring problems, as a solution to Juventus striker Alvaro Morata Sources tell ESPN that looks unlikely.

Arsenal are ready to let Aubameyang go in January after his relationship with manager Mikel Arteta soured, but only if the bulk of his £250k-a-week salary is paid. At best, sources have told ESPN that the North London club will sign a replacement, although this should not be interpreted as a break of contract.

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In addition to the interest of Barca, Juventus and Al Hilal on the Saudi side are also linked to Aubameyang.

Barca boss Xavi Hernandez wants to add a striker to his squad before the transfer window closes on Monday, but any arrival will depend on the winger Ousmane Dembele either sign a contract extension or move elsewhere.

ESPN first reported in December that Morata was the club’s first-choice attack target, but so far they have been unable to reach an agreement for Spain International.

Morata, 29 years old, on loan at Juventus from Atlético Madrid, and any transfer requires the action of both clubs. However, Atletico are battling Barca for a place in the top 4 of La Liga and do not want to strengthen their direct opponents.

Sources told ESPN that Atletico will open a permanent deal, when Morata’s contract expires in 2023, but Barca want a temporary solution. Therefore, Barca is exploring other options, including alternatives besides Aubameyang.

Aubameyang, 32, has not played for Arsenal since December 6. He has been invited to Barca before, but the club have prioritized other players. However, ESPN sources say the situation with Morata has made them ponder over the transfer of the Gabon player this time.

Xavi also wants to bring in a left-back – with Ajax’s Nicolas Tagliafico among the club’s goals – but the priority is to score more goals for the team after onwards Ansu Fati was excluded for two months.

Ansu’s hamstring injury behind the striker Sergio AgueroRetirement and uncertainty continue to plague the future of Dembele, whose contract expires this summer.

Any further popularity at Camp Nou this month will depend on players leaving. The club are operating under the LaLiga-imposed spending limit of €97 million for the season and can only invest 25% of the money they save on new players.

They signed it Dani Alves and Ferran Torres in January, with the latter registering with LaLiga later Philippe Coutinhomove in Aston Villa and Samuel Umtitisalary cut.

Barca also expects to complete the signing Adama Traore are from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Traore, who has been through Barca’s youth system, will arrive initially on loan and accept a low salary until the end of the season, with sources telling ESPN that would allow Barca to sign players up to run. the spanish wing with the tournament.

If Dembele leaves before Monday – or even if he signs an extension – that will free up enough salary cap space to add another striker and potentially a full-back.

Dembele’s contract expires in June and he has so far turned down Barca’s offers to extend. Barca have told him that if he does not sign a new contract, he must find a new club by January 31. The player’s agent, Moussa Sissoko, arrived in the Catalan city this week to discussion to find a solution to the deadlock.

Information from James Olley and Eduardo Fernandez-Abascal of ESPN FC contributed to this report.