Arsenal paid Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 7 million pounds to rip off his contract – says a report. The striker left the club by “mutual consent” on February 1 and was confirmed by Barcelona as their new signing a day later. 

According to The Times, the club the Gabon international almost 7 million pounds to rip off his deal, thus removing his 350,000 pounds-a-week wages off their books. Aubameyang was confirmed to have signed a contract until June 30, 2025, with FC Barcelona on Wednesday morning, containing a break clause for June 30, 2023.

As mandated by law, the Blaugrana have also inserted a release clause in the forward’s contract, which the club confirms to be worth 100 million euros. 

The 32-year-old released a statement on Instagram thanking supporters following his departure from Arsenal. It read as follows: 

“To the Arsenal fans, 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,”

he said in his statement. 

“I have always been 100% focused and committed to doing everything I can for this club which is why leaving without a real goodbye hurts – but that is football.”

Aubameyang signed for Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018 for 55 million pounds – the then-club-record fee. The forward scored ten goals in his first half-season at the club before following it up with 31, 29, and 15 in the subsequent seasons.

His final half-season at the club saw him struggle to hit the high numbers of the previous campaigns; by the time he quit Arsenal, his Premier League tally stood at a meagre four goals from 14 appearances and three – all in one go – in the EFL Cup. 

The Gabonese forward joins Barcelona as their fourth winter signing, after the arrivals of Dani Alves, Ferran Torres, and Adama Traore.