Barcelona announce they can ‘pull off’ loan for Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s Barcelona move is back ON as Nou Camp chief Joan Laporta insists the Catalans ‘will pull it off’ after it looked as though the Arsenal exile’s ‘Odemwingie’ act had failed

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s loan move to Barcelona is still on, say the club
• The Arsenal man was pictured arriving in Catalonia on transfer deadline day 
• Yet multiple reports say Barcelona weren’t expecting Aubameyang to show up
• The saga evoked memories of Peter Odemwingie’s QPR transfer saga in 2013
• Aubameyang was reportedly willing to take a cut on his £350,000-a-week salary 
• The deal between had – at one stage – broken down over the player’s wages
• But Joan Laporta revealed on Monday night that it looks like a deal will go ahead 

By Sam Blitz and Simon Jones and Kieran Jackson For Mailonline

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has announced that the club are close to completing a deadline day loan deal for Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. 

Sportsmail revaeled earlier on Monday that Barcelona’s talks over the Gabon forward had collapsed after both Arsenal and the Spanish giants were surprised that the striker jetted to Spain on Monday. 

Barca finance directors held discussions in the morning about how to fit Aubameyang into their salary cap – as the Gabon forward arrived in Catalonia on Monday. 

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s prospective loan move to Barcelona is still on, say the club

Aubameyang has already arrived in Spain (left), evoking memories of Peter Odemwingie’s transfer saga in 2013 (right)

In a photo circulating on social media on transfer deadline day, the 32-year-old was already in Barcelona posing for photos – yet reports in Spain say Barca weren’t expecting Aubameyang to show up in Spain and nor were Arsenal, bringing back memories of Peter Odemwingie’s infamous QPR transfer saga in 2013. 

But now Catalans president Laporta, who has been working on the deal with Barcelona director Mateu Alemany, believes a deal is close – with other reports in Spain revealing the Gabon forward is undergoing a medical in Catalonia. 

‘It seems that we will pull it off,’ Laporta told Muno Deportivo just before 7.30pm on Monday night. 

‘We would like to incorporate Aubameyang. It is very complicated but there is hope,’ Laporta had said earlier on Monday. ‘We’ve still options open. We’re working on it – and we will until the last minute.’ 

Barcelona chief Joan Laporta said on Monday night that it ‘looks like’ Aubameyang will join

The parallels with Odemwingie’s situation are now distinctly similar with Aubameyang in Spain despite a move not being agreed. 

Nigerian forward Odemwingie arrived at QPR’s Loftus Road ground on deadline day in January 2013 as he looked to facilitate a move from West Brom. 

Odemwingie even conducted an interview with Sky Sports about moving to QPR, insisting he was ‘optimistic’ a deal could materialise. However, he was not allowed in the building as the two clubs had not agreed a deal, nor did they reach one as the deadline was reached, leaving Odemwingie red-faced.  

Aubameyang is hoping to finalise his loan and is willing to take a reduction in his estimated £350,000-a-week salary to make it happen if necessary, even flying to Catalonia as he looks to push for a move.  

Aubameyang could join Xavi’s LaLiga giants in a loan deal until the end of the season 

Meanwhile, Barcelona may forward Ousmane Dembele to Chelsea, with Laporta claiming that they have received a deal from a Premier League club but it is now up the player to complete the move. 

‘Various solutions have been proposed,’ Laporta added. ‘The last one depends on whether the player accepts it, it is to go to an English club.’

Sportsmail understands Barcelona’s move for Aubameyang does not hinge on the departure of Dembele but losing his wages would make their financial equation easier to solve. 

Barcelona have been asking for a £16.5m fee but are open to proposals. Swaps with players have been dismissed so far, including some with Paris Saint-Germain – with names such as Angel Di Maria, Mauro Icardi and Juan Bernat all floated. 

Barcelona’s decision on Aubameyang does not hinge on the departure of Ousmane Dembele 

Eddie Nketiah is likely to stay at Arsenal should Aubameyang depart, despite a request from Crystal Palace. 

Arsenal have been looking to move Aubameyang on ever since he was dropped from the squad by coach Mikel Arteta and stripped of the captaincy following a breach of discipline. 

Barcelona have had a busy transfer window, signing Spain striker Ferran Torres from Manchester City for £55million, despite the much publicised financial problems which forced them to part ways with Lionel Messi last year. 

They have also brought Adama Traore back to the club where he began his career, on a loan deal from Wolves.  

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