Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is unlikely to accept a transfer to Saudi Arabia, even though that’s where the strongest bids for him are coming from.

The Athletic report that it’s plausible Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaves Arsenal in the final week of the January transfer window, but the player is not inclined to accept a transfer to the Middle East.

That’s an issue for Arsenal, given their most concrete bid comes from Al Hilal SFC.

The Saudi Arabian side are offering a loan with an option to buy, and they’re offering to cover Aubameyang’s wages in full, something European sides aren’t willing to do.

The Telegraph claim the list of European clubs interested in Aubameyang includes Paris Saint-Germain (who were also mentioned by The Athletic), AC Milan, Sevilla, Juventus, Marseille, and Barcelona.

But The Telegraph back up The Athletic’s claim that Arsenal would have to part-fund Aubameyang’s wages at any of those clubs.

As well as Al Hilal, Al-Nassr FC are also interested in Aubameyang and willing to pay him in full, if he changes his mind about leaving Europe.

As things stand, it definitely doesn’t seem as if Aubameyang is progressing towards a departure.

If most of the clubs can’t afford him and he doesn’t want to join the ones that can, someone is going to have to make a compromise.

Unfortunately, you suspect that might be Arsenal. Whether it’s continuing to pay part of Aubameyang’s contract while he plays elsewhere or reintegrating him into the squad after all this time, they may have to make a concession to move forward.