Arsenal Urge European Clubs to Sign Aubameyang After Being Frozen Out

Arsenal outcast Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s future at the club has become even more uncertain as European teams have been informed of the unsettled striker’s availability.

Aubameyang, who has been frozen out of the first team and was stripped of the club captaincy after returning late from an authorized trip to France to collect his sick mother, is on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Gabon.

But his long-term future under manager Mikel Arteta is looking bleaker with recruitment staff at a number of the Continent’s top teams understood to have been made aware of the potential opportunity to sign Aubameyang, 32, as early as this month.

His participation in AFCON is likely to complicate any potential deal before the January window shuts. But his path for his eventual exit is being cleared.

Aubameyang’s huge £350,000-per-week wage will provide an obvious obstacle to his departure. Arsenal are also concerned that the public falling out which led to Arteta stripping Aubameyang of the captaincy means his value will plummet.

Meanwhile, England international Maitland-Niles will hold talks with Arteta this week ahead of a potential move to Roma. Maitland-Niles, who can play at right back or in midfield, will chat face-to-face with Arteta after Roma, who are managed by Jose Mourinho, expressed a firm interest in him.

The Italian club have submitted a loan offer for the 24-year-old, with an option to buy in the summer.

Maitland-Niles wants to join Roma. But if Arsenal stand in his way he will stay in north London. That would see him head towards the final 12 months of his contract and leave Arsenal in danger of losing him on a free transfer.