Aubameyang set to sign new deal

LONDON — Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is close to ending speculation about his future by signing a new contract with Arsenal.

First reported by the Daily Telegraph, Aubameyang is nearing an agreement on an extension to a deal which is due to expire at the end of next season.

Aubameyang scored 22 goals in the Premier League last season and netted twice in Arsenal's 2-1 win over Chelsea in Saturday's FA Cup final.

Since his move to Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018, he has scored 54 goals in 85 Premier League games.

Aubameyang (31) is younger than Willian, turning 32 on Sunday, who has been offered a three-year deal to move from Chelsea on a free transfer.

The news of the two contract offers comes a day after the club made a statement revealing their plan to make 55 members of staff redundant, including international recruitment specialist Francis Cagigao.

Arsenal, who will hold meetings with staff on Friday, said one of the key reasons cutbacks are being made was to ”maintain investment in the team“.

Speaking before the FA Cup final, Alexandre Lacazette said his future at Arsenal was not dependent on Aubameyang staying. Asked if he has entered talks over a new contract, Lacazette replied: ”No, we didn‘t talk about this.

”Me, I’m just playing my games and finishing the season to see how it‘s going to be but we didn’t talk about anything.“

Lacazette and Aubameyang are close both on and off the pitch but the French international said his future at Arsenal was not entwined with that of the club’s captain.

”No, because we know that Auba has a lot of discussions with the club and I can’t put my future on someone else,“he replied when such a scenario was put to him.

“When he came, everyone knew we had a good relationship. We always talk about everything, not only about football but everything in life. He‘s a good guy. That’s why between us, it became really easy.”

Sky Sports