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Arsenal are reportedly set to move quickly to offer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang a new deal and tie down the future of their talisman up front.
Manager Mikel Arteta is said to have told Aubameyang he can join the esteemed list of Arsenal’s greatest ever forwards should he commit to the club and spearhead the Gunners’ new direction.
Now that the season has finished and Arsenal have a clearer idea of their financial projections, they will sit down to discuss with Aubameyang, according to the Mirror.
Such a deal would sky-rocket Aubameyang up to one of the highest earners in Arsenal’s history, behind the eye-watering £350,000-a-week deal of Mesut Ozil.
Arsenal, however, are wary of not falling into the same trap as they did with Ozil, who signed for huge figures before seemingly growing more disillusioned at the club and finding himself out of the team entirely.
The Gabon international stole the show at Wembley and fired Arsenal to FA Cup glory
Aubameyang’s current £180,000-a-week deal expires next summer but his contract includes a 12-month extension clause.
With bonus fees involved this could cost the club around £20 million for one season, after which Aubameyang could still leave.
Arsenal, therefore, want the matter resolved indefinitely, and will push for their FA Cup hero to sign on the dotted line with completely fresh terms taking him through until 2023.
Arteta will then be able to turn his focus to transfer plans and, as exclusively revealed by Sportsmail, the Spaniard has been told he must sell players before he can buy this summer.
It is understood the club could even offload Alexandre Lacazette or Hector Bellerin if a sizeable offer is made for either player.
Sokratis, Matteo Guendouzi, Lucas Torreira, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Sead Kolasinac — as well as Shkodran Mustafi and Rob Holding, who have played key roles for Arteta in recent weeks — are also in the shop window.
Culled from dailymail.co.uk/GuardianNG
