Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will join Barcelona on deadline day despite talks collapsing earlier in the day.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in Barcelona via Gerard Romero's Twitch livestream
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in Barcelona via Gerard Romero’s Twitch livestream

Piere-Emerick Aubameyang Barcelona saga

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang landed in Barcelona earlier today ahead of a potential loan move, with Gerard Romero catching him on camera in his Twitch livestream.

David Ornstein then reported for The Athletic that work was continuing on a Barcelona loan move for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on deadline day.

Arsenal, Barcelona, and Aubameyang’s camp made good progress over the weekend, though they were still sorting out how much of the player’s salary Barcelona will cover.

That, it seems, is where things broke down:

https://twitter.com/David_Ornstein/status/1488173388547899399

https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1488199290266791941

But, after making us all wonder if Mikel Arteta could ever find it in his heart to forgive his former captain, it was all back on again and moving quickly:

https://twitter.com/Alejandro_sj/status/1488220377671217155

Translated, it says, “Mateu Alemany [Barcelona] with one of the intermediaries of the Aubameyang operation. They are still meeting to find a solution.”

https://twitter.com/MatteMoretto/status/1488227073844031491

That tweet says “Barça makes ‘another Luuk de Jong’ and can close Aubameyang shortly, the club confirms the news that is coming out. What a day for Gabonese.”

https://twitter.com/victor_nahe/status/1488223979806601218

That tweet says a medical was scheduled for 8.30pm (Spain).

Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, also reportedly said, “It seems that we will pull it off. Ousmane Dembele? Various solutions have been proposed, the last one depends on whether the player accepts it, it is to go to an English club”. (Before you get excited, it’s Chelsea).

The Auba deal wasn’t expected to involve a loan fee but it turns out his contract is being cancelled.

“Joan Laporta and Enric Masip enter Alemany’s office where the representative of Aubameyang is closing the fringes of the agreement. Assignment 6 months and 1 year plus optional.”

https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1488255616858660864

“Aubameyang is already in the Sports City to form the contract”

Despite earlier reports, Barcelona also reportedly didn’t need to sell Ousmane Dembele to sign Aubameyang.

Football.London’s Chris Wheatley wrote that a loan move was expected to happen today, whilst Goal’s Charles Watts added on Sunday that there was no sign of anyone coming in as a replacement.

https://twitter.com/PlusFCBarca/status/1488112781295509504?s=20&t=dTNK3qJbauiHszow_4JFuQ

Barcelona appear to be the only club left in the race for Aubameyang now, after links to other clubs earlier in the window.

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 07: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal embraces Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal after the Premier League match between Arsenal and Watford at Emirates Stadium on November 07, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal embraces Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal after the Premier League match between Arsenal and Watford at Emirates Stadium on November 07, 2021. (Photo by Ryan Pierse / Getty Images)

CBS Sports’ James Benge reported on Saturday that Al-Nassr FC had made a final offer to Aubameyang for a loan with an obligation to buy.

They were ready to match his salary and hand him a three-and-a-half-year contract in total, giving him a break clause to return to Europe after 12 months, if he wished.

But after failing to convince Aubameyang to accept one of multiple offers over the last couple of weeks, Al-Nassr moved on.

Benge reported that Al-Nassr had withdrawn their final offer, and Aubameyang won’t be joining them this month.

Spanish journalist Adria Albets also reported that Aubameyang would have his Barcelona medical at 5pm (Spanish time).

Wages consistently proved the sticking point with Auba said to be willing to take a paycut and Arsenal and Barcelona haggling over who will pay what.

Arsenal also reportedly wanted a mandatory purchase clause in any loan agreement.

Whatever happens, it appears this one is going to make us sit here until the very end:

https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1488203954542592008