Arsenal are hoping to use their strong relationship with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s father to help agree a new deal for the player.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates victory during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Everton FC at Emirates Stadium on February 23, 2020 in London, United Kingdom.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates victory on February 23, 2020. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

The Telegraph claim Arsenal are hoping to lean on their relationship with Aubameyang’s father to secure a new contract for the striker. Pierre Aubameyang Sr is also his son’s agent, and the Gunners have a strong rapport with him.

Aubameyang has just a year left on his Arsenal deal and Barcelona are long-term admirers. However, his current club are prioritising contract talks with him over new signings, and they have strong lines of communication with his father.

There’s no doubt that signing Aubameyang up to a new deal is a better option than any alternative. Selling him won’t bring in much money in the current financial landscape, and losing him for free next year isn’t much more appealing either.

Even if the Gunners succeeded in selling for a good fee, it’ll be incredibly difficult to replace him at such short notice, particularly this summer.

Arsenal should want to keep the striker around next season, but they can’t afford the risk of letting him leave for free to a rival club afterwards. They only way to win on both fronts is by convincing him to extend.

Aubameyang should be happy enough at Arsenal. He has the love of the fans, close friends at the club and he lives in London. He’s in a team shaped to get him goals playing Premier League football. He’s only missing that Champions League experience.

If he can help push the team up into the top four or five in the remainder of the season, it should be an easy decision.