Barcelona's transfer savviness over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang despite 'main issue' to solve

Barcelona fans were treated to a major piece of nostalgia in November as to add to the excitement that Xavi Hernandez had returned to the club, he signed a familiar face too.Xavi replaced Ronald Koeman as manager and wasted no time as he brought back friend and former Barcelona great Dani Alves, although he only became available from January 3.Although Alves was brought in to assist to Xavi's plans to get Barcelona back to their former glory, the transfer isn't just a publicity stunt as the Brazilian has featured for the club since becoming eligible in January.However, he won't be featuring for them in Europe this season, as the defender hasn't been named in the squad.Barcelona crashed out in the Champions League group stages for the first time since the 2003/04 season, but they have set up a mouth-watering Europa League play-off against Napoli in February.Following a restructure, third-placed teams must now face-off against a second-place Europa League side in order to progress to the next knockout round of Europe's second tier, but Alves won't be able to help.Involved in Barcelona's European squad announcement were their three January signings Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ferran Torres and Adama Traore, but there was no place for Alves.Alves may now be 38, but the Brazilian has as much experience as any other star to wear the famous Barcelona shirt, as he won three Champions League's and three UEFA Super Cups during his first stint with the Catalan side.The defender also won the Europa League twice with former side Sevilla, although back then it was known as the UEFA Cup.Alves will have to influence his side from the sidelines alongside Xavi, and Barcelona's two-legged play-off with Napoli gets underway on February 17.

Darren Bent believes Manchester United will be boosted by West Ham and Arsenal's failure to strengthen in the January transfer window.

Barcelona have completed the signing of another former Manchester City player, as right-back Alpha Dionkou has joined on loan from Granada.

Arsenal had to pay out a huge amount of money to get Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to tear up his contract at the club. The 32-year-old signed for Barcelona on deadline day after a whirlwind 24 hours that saw the striker fly to the city without an agreement.

Arsenal still have some big flops at the club earning fortunes despite not fitting into Mikel Arteta’s plans. The Gunners failed to sign anyone in January and instead looked to alleviate a ballooning wage bill with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the biggest profile to leave.The 32-year-old had been ostracised by Arteta after a breach of discipline and it became evident that he would not figure in his first-team plans.

Arsenal has “hurt” as he broke his silence following his move to Barcelona.The striker had been frozen out by Mikel Arteta at the Gunners in recent months following disciplinary issues.His form had dropped off remarkably since he signed a bumper new contract 18 months ago, which made him one of the highest-paid players in the Premier League.And he has now cut his time at the Emirates Stadium short by mutually terminating his contract to pave the way for a free transfer to La Liga giants Barca.Before having his arrival at the Nou Camp confirmed though, Aubameyang has penned an emotional goodbye message to Gunners supporters.Aubameyang spent four years at Arsenal after being bought for a club-record fee and admitted his departure from the Premier League side has been painful.“To the Arsenal fans,” he wrote in an Instagram message in which he also attached four pictures from his time at the club.“Thank you for making London home for myself and my family for the past four years. We went through ups and downs together and your support meant everything to me.“Having the chance to win trophies and the honour of being the captain of this club is something I will forever keep in my heart.Were Arsenal right to mutually terminate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's contract? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section...Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news?Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star football email newsletter!From the latest transfer news to the agenda-setting stories, get it all in your email inbox - don't miss a thing.It only takes a matter of seconds.Simply type your email address into the box at the top of this article and hit 'subscribe'.And that's it, job done.

Mikel Arteta has turned Arsenal into a 'Mothercare advert' by playing 'Russian roulette' says former striker Kevin Campbell.The former Gunners ace has brutally mocked Arteta for a lack of experience, in a hilarious interview on Sky Sports.Campbell, 51, made 224 appearances for Arsenal over a seven-year stay at Highbury, winning the old First Division title in its penultimate season.Also enjoying spells at Nottingham Forest, Everton and West Bromwich Albion, the forward retired from football in 2007 before making a career as a TV pundit.An avid fan of former clubs Arsenal and Everton, Campbell was unable to hide his frustration when asked about the Gunners January business. "I think [Alexandre] Lacazette and [Eddie] Nketiah isn't strong enough," Campbell told Sky Sports when quizzed if Arsenal lack depth up front.

Arsenal made by offering Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang a huge new contract has been laid bare after his cost-per-goal emerged.Aubameyang was handed a bumper new deal in September 2020, but his form nosedived after he put pen to paper on the contract.His time at Arsenal did not make it to the scheduled end of the summer of 2023, with the 32-year-old joining Barcelona on January transfer deadline day.The decision to hand him a new contract will go down as one of the most ill-sighted decisions in Arsenal’s history, considering the extraordinary amount of money he cost the Gunners.The contract he signed saw Arsenal pay out £350,000 per week in wages, making Aubameyang one of the highest-paid players in the Premier League.When he signed that deal, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta hailed the striker as a “superb player” and highlighted his goalscoring record.“It was important for Pierre-Emerick to stay with us. He’s a superb player with an incredible mentality,” Arteta said.“Being the player to have taken the least amount of time to reach 50 goals with this club tells you everything you need to know about him and his way of working.How would you rate Arsenal's January transfer window? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section...“He’s an important leader for the team and a big part of what we’re building.

Manchester United have reportedly been dealt a blow in their efforts to sign Erling Haaland as he bides his time in order to force a move to Barcelona.

Another transfer window has ended with little fanfare from Manchester City.

Barcelona have reportedly reached an agreement with Arsenal to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on a free transfer. Aubameyang had been expected to leave the Emirates on loan this month.But it seems his exit will now be permanent.

Arsenal were set to sign Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti earlier in the January transfer window before injury struck.The Gunners have been working with the La Liga side on Transfer Deadline Day over a deal for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.But that is not the first contact they've had this month.A loan deal was in the works for Umtiti, 28, who recently signed a cheaper contract with Barca so they could register new signing Ferran Torres.He is in desperate need of game time and Mundo Deportivo report the move from the Camp Nou to the Emirates for the rest of the season was ‘practically completed’.However, the Frenchman suffered a fractured toe, ruling him out for a matter of months and putting pay to the switch.Injuries are what have stalled the World Cup winner's career since his move from Lyon in 2016.Umtiti has played just one game all season as even when he has been fit, he's remained either an unused substitute or not been included in the squad.Should Arsenal go back in for Umtiti in the summer? Let us know in the comments section.He's not the only transfer that has fallen through for Mikel Arteta this month.Arsenal's Spanish manager looked to be relieved of his midfield issues with the loan signing of Juventus' Arthur.However, after a breakthrough in talks last week they then struggled to get the deal over the line.It means they look set to end the winter window without any fresh faces for their top four push. They're arguably worse off than they were when they started the month, as several stars have left the club.Ainsley Maitland-Niles has joined Roma and Pablo Mari has gone to Udinese, both until the end of the season.

Arsenal fans have turned on technical director Edu Gaspar after becoming increasingly frustrated with the club’s lack of business in the January transfer window.

Arsenal tops while on international duty.The goalkeeper put pen to the paper this transfer window, in a deal that will see him move to north London from Major League Soccer club New England Revolution in the summer, for fee thought to be around £5.8million.While playing for the USA national team, he was happy to oblige, signing Gunners tops after his side’s 1-0 World Cup qualifier win over El Salvador.On his way back towards the tunnel, one fan held out a 2021-22 Arsenal home shirt and the player was happy to sign it.One fan thanked the goalies while another told the goalkeeper to 'take' the shirt home with him.USA head coach Gregg Berhalter said that the keeper’s move to Arsenal is an ‘amazing story’.The coach even believes he can make a play for the number one spot in Mikel Arteta’s side, a spot currently taken up by Aaron Ramsdale.Berhalter said: “It's just an amazing story and it's all down to him, his work ethic, his belief in himself and his never-give-up attitude.“It's a great story and Matt is a great guy, a great team-mate and we're lucky to have him.Do you think this is a good signing for Arsenal? Tell us in the comments section.“Tonight was an example of where he did everything that he had to do. He was calm in all situations.“Wasn't tested much but was there when we needed him and he looked like a player that's going to Arsenal, for sure.”Turner was one of the key players in the US national team achieving the Concacaf Gold Cup last August.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is said to be 'desperate' to sign a striker on Transfer Deadline Day - but the Emirates is not the only possible destination for Alvaro Morata.With former skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang said to be in 'advanced talks' to play under Xavi in La Liga, Arteta and his team are on the lookout for a replacement after missing out on Dusan Vlahovic.However, the Serbian's move to Juventus has provided a window of opportunity, with former Real Madrid and Chelsea striker Morata looking for a new challenge.Step in Arsenal assistant Miguel Molina, who is said to have spoken with Morata directly ahead of a potential switch despite his previous struggles in the Premier League.Spanish outlet AS reports news of the contract between Morata and Molina, but add that their biggest rival also hold last-gasp hopes of a deal.Tottenham boss Antonio Conte is said to fancy a reunion with the forward who scored 15 goals during their 48 matches working together at Stamford Bridge between 2016 and 2017.Morata, 29, begun his career with Real Madrid and returned after his first spell with Juventus, later joining Atletico from Chelsea before his second transfer to Turin - which is a loan deal.The Spain international managed 20 goals in all competitions last season to match his career best, but has not been so prolific this season with eight goals from 29 outings.Would Alvaro Morata impress under Mikel Arteta? Give us your thoughts in the comments sectionDespite that, Morata could be seen as the perfect addition to Arsenal's young attacking line up, especially considering that Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette are out of contract in the summer.Arteta said earlier this month: "Any time I have spoken to any player, they were

Julian Alvarez is the most high-profile piece of transfer business left for Manchester City to conclude in the January window.

Barcelona reportedly rejected the opportunity to sign Raheem Sterling this month, according to reports.

Arsenal fans have shared a transfer theory regarding Alexander Isak, who was spotted in London.Eagle-eyed fans were quick to notice that Isak's new Range Rover was bought and registered in London this month.A custom number plate, registered to the DVLA, was also puchased which reads: "I5 AAK."The striker has been a long-term target of Arsenal's, and Mikel Arteta is thought to be keen on bringing him to the Emirates this week after missing out on Dusan Vlahovic.Vlahovic had been hotly linked with a move to north London, but has joined Juventus instead, leaving the Gunners in desperate need of a striker following Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's exile.Isak, who was spotted in a Soho bar on Friday night with former Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj, is in the UK with the end of the transfer window fast approaching. And tinfoil-hatted Gunners fans have come to their own conclusion on the potential coincidence."The car Alexander Isak is driving around London today was bought, registered and taxed in January 2022.

Erling Haaland is delaying a decision on his future to buy Barcelona time to raise the £300million required to sign him.Sources close to Haaland’s current club Borussia Dortmund are convinced his preferred destination is the Nou Camp - despite his refusal to confirm that bombshell to the rest of Europe’s elite.Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are all poised to launch bids for Haaland, whose £68m buy-out clause kicks in at the end of the season.But they are being made to wait as he wants to see if Barcelona, crippled by debts of £670m, can somehow afford him.The total cost of acquiring the prolific marksman is an eye-watering £300m - in transfer, salary and agent fees combined.That was way beyond Barcelona’s reach...until one of the world's biggest banks, Goldman Sachs suddenly arrived on the scene with an offer to bail them out to the tune of a ONE BILLIION pound loan.And, according to long-time La Liga expert Terry Gibson, that means the fallen Spanish giants are definitely contenders in the Haaland equation.The former Man United striker said: “They’ll be in there, 100 per cent! Absolutely.“I was amazed they were able to get the money to buy Ferran Torres from Man City this month.“They will find the money. They always find ways of raising the revenue.

Arsenal target Alexander Isak walking around in London with transfer deadline day looming.Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is in desperate need of a centre forward following Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's recent exile.The club had hoped to tempt Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic to north London, but the 22-year-old opted to join Juventus instead.Arsenal have been scrambling for alternatives ever since and Isak has emerged as one of the club's top targets - along with Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins.As it turns out, Isak has been in London for the past day or so, and has been spotted with Real Sociedad teammate - and former Manchester United forward - Adnan Januzaj.A video emerged on social media earlier today showing the Sweden international and Januzaj enjoying themselves in a bar in Soho and another showed the two of them walking around a shopping centre together.The Belgian winger also posted a photo with Isak to his Instagram story, writing: 'My brotherrrrrrr @alex_isak."In all likelihood, the two are simply enjoying a short city break together, but Isak's presence in the capital has done little to quash rumours of an impending transfer to Arsenal.Isak has even hinted that a move to the Premier League could be in his future, telling the Independent in November: "I’m in a good place at the moment, I’m very happy, but one day it would be nice to play in England as well."How much is Alexander Isak worth? Let us know what you think in the comments section below...It's understood the Swede has a release clause of around £75m - a fee which Arsenal are unwilling to pay at the moment.Isak netted scored 17 times in La Liga last season, and impressed for his country during Euro 2020 in the summer, but

Juventus over Arsenal.Vlahovic moved from Fiorentina to Juventus for £58million, plus an additional £8million in add-ons, on Friday, ending January's biggest transfer saga.The Serbian has been in fine form this season, and his goals have fired La Viola into the upper echelons of the Serie A.Arsenal had been hotly linked with the superstar, but Mikel Arteta has missed out on his man with less than a week left in the transfer window.And Vlahovic's agent has revealed why the Serbian picked the Old Lady: "Juventus are always Juventus."While Vlahovic said: "Juventus represents pride, tradition, family. Juventus are always there until the last minute, they never give up."The team always comes first.