Barcelona 'closing in on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang signing'

Barcelona are reportedly close to sealing the loan signing of Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The Gabon international has been exiled from the squad since being stripped of the captaincy last month and did not travel with the Gunners to Dubai over the winter break.

Barca and Juventus are believed to have both made formal approaches for Aubameyang, although an exit has been shrouded in uncertainty amid Arsenal's failure to bring in a new striker this month.

However, The Athletic now reports that Barca are close to agreeing a loan deal for the former Borussia Dortmund man until the end of the season, in spite of the Ousmane Dembele debacle.

The report adds that Aubameyang's £350k-a-week wages is the only stumbling block left to clear, and there is no option or obligation to buy included in the deal.

Aubameyang has only scored four goals in 14 Premier League games this season and is due to become a free agent in the summer of 2023.