Arsenal set to accept transfer offers for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after putting £200k-a-week contract talks on hold
ARSENAL have shelved talks with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang over a new deal and are willing to listen to offers for him, reports have claimed.
Mikel Arteta's side have agreed a 12.5 per cent pay cut with most of their players - Mesut Ozil is believed to be one of the exceptions - due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The pandemic is set to have a huge knock-on effect on the prices of players and the wages they can command when football starts again.
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It is in that light that the highlight Aubameyang's alleged demand for an increase on his £200,000-a-week deal.
They say it is highly unlikely Emirates chiefs would be willing to part with more cash - even for their main striker.
Aubameyang, whose deal expires at the end of next season, joined for £56m in January 2018.
It is not clear how much Arsenal could sell him on for.
But with talks reportedly stalling, it appears Gunners top brass will have no option but to listen to offers for him to avoid losing him on a free.
Some reports have claimed Chelsea are considering a "cheeky"; bid for the 30-year-old Gabon frontman.
And Charlie Nicholas reckons Man City will enter the race to sign the ex-Dortmund star, along with Barcelona and Real Madrid.
He said: "I do not think Aubameyang is seeking to leave. He is a superstar at Arsenal.
"He was only a star at Dortmund. If he is thinking about leaving, are Manchester United going to give you more opportunities as it stands? I do not think so.
"Would he get into Liverpool’s side? No.
"Manchester City could be an option so that he could replace Sergio Aguero, but the only alternatives are two giants of Spain, but I do not think he is that type.
"If it was City or the two giants, I would accept it, but the rest I cannot be convinced that he would be guaranteed game time.
"The signs are still promising, but the weakness of Arsenal to deliver contracts is what terrifies me more than anything.
"My gut feeling is that he will be sold to allow the restructure of Mikel Arteta’s team."