Report: Arsenal open to offers for Aubameyang

Arsenal are prepared to part with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang less than a year after signing the Gabon forward to a lucrative long-term contract.

The Gunners will welcome offers and won't stand in the 32-year-old's way if another club is interested in his services before the summer transfer window closes, reports Sam Dean of The Telegraph.

Aubameyang still has two years remaining on the contract he signed in September 2020.

However, Arsenal no longer view him as an essential part of the team and are keen to generate money through player sales before the end of the month, Dean says.

The club is coming off back-to-back losses to open the season and is looking to shed itself of various salaries before the window shuts Aug. 31.

Aubameyang's salary demands could make completing a transfer away from the Emirates Stadium difficult given that he currently earns £250,000 a week. Most of Europe's top clubs are currently averse to spending exorbitant sums due to financial restraints related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Arsenal have been one of this summer's highest-spending clubs after signing five players for more than £100 million combined. But the team is unlikely to add anyone else before unwanted fringe players - such as Sead Kolasinac, Hector Bellerin, Lucas Torreira, Eddie Nketiah, and Ainsley Maitland-Niles - are sold.

Aubameyang, who joined Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund for a then-club record of £55.4 million in 2018, tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of Arsenal's opening-match defeat against Brentford. He made his season debut in Sunday's loss to Chelsea.