Barcelona forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was reportedly the victim of a violent robbery in the early hours of Monday morning at his home in the Spanish city, with several armed men breaking in and beating him.
According to Spanish publication El Pais, at least four men climbed into his garden at the Castelldefels complex and threatened him with firearms and iron bars – and the crooks fled with jewels after breaking into the player’s safe.
The former Gabon international, who joined the Blaugrana from Arsenal in January, was assaulted by the men in front of his wife Alysha Behague, with the criminals fleeing in a white Audi A3.
Aubameyang and Behague have two children together – Curtys and Pierre – however, it is unknown whether the children were present during the break-in. Behague immediately notified Spanish authorities, who are now on the lookout for the perpetrators.
The incident occurs as Aubameyang is linked with a return to the Premier League following interest from Chelsea, just seven months after leaving Arsenal after falling out with Gunners manager Mikel Arteta over disciplinary issues.
It’s not the first time Barcelona players have been robbed or stolen from, with Aubameyang’s teammate Robert Lewandowski having his €70,000 watch stolen outside the club’s training grounds.
As the former Bayern Munich striker greeted fans ahead of an evening training session with Barcelona, his watch was snatched. The thief is said to have opened Lewandowski’s car door and taken the watch while the Polish international signed autographs before attempting to flee.
A suspect was quickly apprehended, and Lewandowski regained possession of his watch before taking part in the La Liga practice session against Real Sociedad.
Aubameyang’s break-in story follows that of Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, who claimed he was the victim of a 13 million blackmail plot by a gang who dragged him to a Paris apartment and threatened him with assault rifles.
The 29-year-old France World Cup winner said the men wanted the money for ‘protection services’ dating back 13 years, including time spent in Manchester.
