Arsenal are ready to submit a contract offer worth £250,000-a-week to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the club step up their efforts to keep the forward at the Emirates.
Aubameyang’s future has been a major cause of concern for the north London side with the star having entered the final year of his current deal, with the club desperate to re-sign the 31-year-old as they bid to build a side capable of challenging for major honours under Mikel Arteta.
The Gabon international has scored 25 goals in all competitions so far this season and has registered 66 goals in just 107 appearances since signing from Borussia Dortmund two-and-a-half years ago, the ongoing uncertainty surrounding his future an issue Arsenal are desperate to address.
Aubameyang has been linked with the likes of Barcelona and Inter Milan in recent months, but according to the Telegraph, the Gunners are now putting the final touches to ‘a first formal offer’ of an extension, the deal set to be worth a reported £250,000-per-week.
Such an offer would be an increase on his current £198,000-a-week deal, but still significantly short of Mesut Ozil’s £350,000-a-week salary, the German the club’s highest earner despite falling out of favour with Arteta in recent weeks.
Aubameyang has previously expressed his happiness at the club where he has a strong relationship with head coach Arteta, though is keen for assurances the club will back the Spaniard and strengthen significantly as they look to return to the Champions League.
Arsenal currently sit tenth in the Premier League following their worst league campaign since 1995, though they still have the chance to end the season with major silverware – as well as the European qualification that goes with it – when they face Chelsea in the FA Cup final on August 1.
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