Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Aubameyang spotted training with Barcelona BEFORE move announced, Lacazette exit, Trusty IN
BARCELONA have completed a deadline day move for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Gabon striker has signed for FREE on a permanent move. Aubameyang is taking a significant pay cut to join the La Liga giants.
The Gunners only brought in one player on deadline day – American defender Auston Trusty.
Trusty will be loaned back to MLS side Colorado Rapids, who share the same owner as the Gunners, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment.
And we've got the latest on Alexandre Lacazette's future, with former side Lyon eyeing the striker.
Keep up to date with all the latest Arsenal transfer news here at SunSport
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
- Jake Lambourne
Vla va voom
Arsenal target Dusan Vlahovic has revealed why he rejected a move to the Emirates to join Juventus from Fiorentina.
The Serbian striker said: "There were lot of rumours about clubs from abroad… but it was an easy choice for me [to sign for Juventus].
"This club has winning mentality, like me.
“I’m extremely happy – I’m joining a glorious club and this is what I wanted. I can’t wait."
- Jake Lambourne
Taking the Mik
Fuming Arsenal fans have taken to social media to vent after seeing their side fail to sign a single player in January.
The Gunners are in with a shot of securing a top four position that would see them return to the Champions League for the first time since the 2016-17 season.
Boss Mikel Arteta was keen to recruit some fresh talent that could help his current crop.
But instead, Arsenal opted to trim their squad – letting a number of players go while not recruiting anyone.
Arsenal Twitter has been awash with memes and comments when it's come to the club's transfer business.
One fan posted a picture of a lone Gunnersaurus stood in the centre circle, captioning it: "Last man standing."
Read more HERE.
- Jake Lambourne
Ous-ted from Barcelona
Barcelona are considering terminating Ousmane Dembele's contract after they failed to offload him in the January transfer window.
The Frenchman was offered to a host of clubs around Europe including Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham, but Dembele rejected the Premier League trio.
It also looked at one stage as though PSG were closing in on his signature on deadline day.
But that move was scuppered by Financial Fair Play regulations as the Catalan giants wound up with him still on their books.
And now, according to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are thinking about trying to get him off their books immediately by ripping up his existing deal.
A meeting will take place on Tuesday between Barca chiefs as they discuss what to do with Dembele's £210,000 a week salary.
And it is thought some within the discussion will call for his contract to be terminated.
- Jake Lambourne
Barc in action
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is set to make his Barcelona debut against Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
The striker's move to the Catalan giants has been agreed and signed, with confirmation imminent.
Aubameyang, 32, has not been in club action since Arsenal's 2-1 defeat to Everton on December 6.
After featuring in a 1-1 friendly draw with Mauritania, he then missed Gabon's Africa Cup of Nations campaign following a positive Covid test.
The former Gunners skipper will hope to quickly shake off any rust against Diego Simeone's reigning champions on Sunday.
- Jake Lambourne
Ramsey doubt for Old Firm
Aaron Ramsey concedes he is unlikely to be fit to make his Rangers debut in tomorrow's Old Firm derby.
The Welshman, 31, sealed a shock loan move to the Scottish champions from Juventus on deadline day after rejecting a number of Premier League clubs.
But the ex-Arsenal midfielder admits the Parkhead clash with Glasgow rivals Celtic will probably come too soon for him.
Ramsey said: "I’m probably going to be a little bit short for the Old Firm game but hopefully I can get myself ready this week and look forward to getting ready for the weekend, really.
"I’ve had these conversations with the manager and the staff and hopefully we can get a plan in place to get going and back up to match fitness as soon as possible."
- Jake Lambourne
Free for all
The closing of the January transfer window means there are now several high-profile players without a club.
Among those are some old Premier League stars, familiar faces, and wasted talents.
Here we have a look at the best XI that can be made from players who are currently without a professional contract.
One of the biggest names currently unattached is former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa.
Another former Premier League star keen for a new suitor is ex-Arsenal and England international Jack Wilshere.
Speaking of the North London outfit, former club captain Laurent Koscielny is also without a club.
Here SunSport takes a look at the best current free XI.
- Jake Lambourne
High praise for Auston
American defender Auston Trusty has been praised by Colorado Rapids Executive VP & General Manager Padraig Smith after his move to Arsenal was confirmed.
He said: "Auston is coming off an exceptional season in 2021 in which he played a vital role in helping us finish atop the Western Conference for the first time in our history.
"We remain committed to bringing through the top young players from Colorado and across the United States and to providing them with a platform to flourish, achieve success in MLS and earn the chance to make a move to Europe.
"Auston’s outstanding performances caught the eye of several European clubs over the past 12 months and we are privileged to be part of an organisation with the reach and scale of KSE that allows us to help a player of Auston’s potential further his development and career aspirations in Europe."
- Jake Lambourne
Trusty delighted with Arsenal move
New Arsenal signing Auston Trusty has spoken of his delight at signing for Arsenal.
The American centre-back, 23, will link up with the club in the summer from MLS outfit Colorado Rapids.
Taking to Instagram after his switch was announced, he said: "Honoured, excited and grateful to be joining Arsenal."
"Growing up in Media, PA, the thought of joining such a prestigious club seemed crazy. Today that crazy dream became a reality.
"Thank you to the entire Colorado Rapids organization [sic] and a huge thank you to my coaches and support staff for helping me grow these last two years on and off the field.
"I would also like to thank my agents Duncan and Ryan for working on this deal.
"The work is nowhere near finished but I am incredibly excited for what’s to come in the future!"
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Auston Trusty (@austontrusty3)
- Jake Lambourne
Doug and dustedd
Aston Villa rejected a bid for Arsenal and Tottenham target Douglas Luiz on deadline day.
That is according to The Athletic, who report that Villa turned down three offers for Luiz, with the most recent one taking place on Monday just before the January transfer window slammed shut.
The Villans want to keep the midfielder and tie him down to a new contract as his current deal expires next year in June.
The Brazil international has attracted interest from Arsenal and Tottenham as well as Newcastle recently.
The 23-year-old has become a key player for Villa ever since his arrival from Manchester City in 2019.
Manager Steven Gerrard has started the Brazilian in the club's last eight Premier League games.
- Jake Lambourne
Dry January for Gunners
Arsenal endured a miserable January transfer window that saw them outspent by non-league Wrexham.
Mikel Arteta missed out on a number of key targets and also lost 14 players.
Youth prospect Lino Sousa, 17, was the only January arrival for the Gunners as he joined from West Brom and signed his first professional contract.
Goalkeeper Matt Turner will join from New England Revolution in the summer while Auston Trusty was signed and loaned back to Colorado Rapids.
Wrexham, meanwhile, splashed £300k on Ollie Palmer from AFC Wimbledon in their bid to be promoted back to the Football League.
- Jake Lambourne
Just Lac that
Lyon are planning to re-sign Arsenal ace Alexandre Lacazette in the summer transfer window.
The Ligue 1 giants tried to bring Lacazette back to the Groupama Stadium last month but a shock move couldn't be materialised.
According to L'Equipe, the OL are going to make the striker their "priority" transfer at the end of the season when his contract expires.
The France international, who joined the north Londoners from Lyon in 2017 following a £52million deal, is set to become a free agent as the club hasn't been able to convince him to extend his stay at the Emirates.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is also likely to lose Eddie Nketiah, whose deal is also running out at the end of the season.
This comes after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joined Barcelona for free on Monday's transfer deadline day.
- Jake Lambourne
Delayed summer Biss-ness
Aston Villa are reportedly prepared to battle Arsenal and Liverpool for the £50 million rated Brighton star Yves Bissouma.
The midfielder, 25, has 18 months left on his deal with the Seagulls and has a number of clubs keen on him.
Villa allegedly had a £25m offer for the star rejected earlier in the transfer window.
Brighton are believed to be looking for a figure of over £45m for the Mali international.
Several teams appear unwilling to meet that valuation, including both Arsenal and Manchester United as well as Tottenham.
The Daily Mail reports that Villa also ‘decided against’ making a move for Bissouma before the close of the window yesterday.
- Alex Terrell
Thanks for… nothing!
It might sound boring but getting rid of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has helped Arsenal reduce their wage bill.
That along with the other 12 players they managed to ship out during the January transfer window.
It's not a glamour signing but it means Mikel Arteta can go into the summer window with a stronger hand, knowing whether or not the Gunners are in the Champions League next season or not.
- James Orr
Aubameyang pay cut to join Barcelona
Instead of joining Barcelona on loan for the rest of the season, Aubameyang severed ALL ties with Arsenal to join on a permanent basis.
It means Arsenal will save themselves £26million in the wages which Aubameyang was due over the remaining 18 months of his contract.
But they have also written off a player who cost them £60million when he joined from Borussia Dortmund exactly four years earlier.
- James Orr
Aubameyang's vital goals
Goodbye Pierre-Emerick…
Aubameyang has been the most valuable striker in the Premier League in the last four years.
And that is because his goals have won his team more points than any other player in the league.
- James Orr
Where is Erling Haaland?
Erling Haaland reportedly dashed to Monaco to have urgent talks about his future with agent Mino Raiola – who's recovering in hospital.
The prolific Borussia Dortmund striker's been courted by a slew of European giants since a £65million buy-out clause in his contract became active.
The reduced fee allows him to open talks with other clubs who meet the valuation in summer 2022.
- James Orr
Ramsey makes Rangers move
Arsenal legend Aaron Ramsey completed a deadline day move from Juventus to Rangers.
And the first game of Ramsey's loan spell could be the Old Firm derby against Celtic on Wednesday!
Ramsey said: "I had a number of offers on the table, but none matched the magnitude of this club, with European football and the chance to play in front of 50,000 fans every other week.
"I have had some fantastic conversations with the manager and (Sporting Director) Ross Wilson, and I’m really looking forward to working with both of them, and to meeting the supporters."
Manager, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, himself a former Arsenal midfielder, said: "I’m absolutely delighted that we have been able to add a player of Aaron’s quality, experience and leadership to our squad."
- James Orr
Arsenal's two strikers
The Gunners head into the second half of the season with just two strikers – Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah.
Nketiah had been linked with a move to Crystal Palace or Borussia Monchengladbach in this window but will be staying at the Emirates until the end of the season.
While Lacazette has been linked with a summer exit from the Emirates.
- James Orr
Second Juventus blow
Arsenal suffered a second blow to Juventus in this transfer window after Denis Zakaria completed a £7m deadline day move to Turin.
German side Borussia Monchengladbach confirmed midfielder Zakaria had departed for the bargain fee after entering the final six months of his contract.
Of course, earlier in the week Gunners top target Dusan Vlahovic completed his move to Juve.
- James Orr
Trusty moves
Arsenal finally made a signing – and then sent him straight back out on loan.
The Gunners completed a deal on deadline day to land Auston Trusty from Colorado Rapids, Stan Kroenke's MLS team.
He is the first senior player to join the club during the January transfer window – three hours before the deadline.
But the 23-year-old defender will spend the remainder of this season with the American side.
- Ian Tuckey
Transfer deadline deals…
It's surely safe now to run through the main deals on an unexpectedly dramatic transfer deadline day.
That's because Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's permanent switch from Arsenal to Barcelona was confirmed shortly after the window shut at 11pm.
Ex-Tottenham playmaker Christian Eriksen got the ball rolling with a six-month deal at Brentford.
Man City landed River Plate's Argentina striker Julian Alvarez for £14million but loaned him back to his home-country club.
Newcastle made Brighton centre-back Dan Burn their third defensive signing.
And Arsenal legend Aaron Ramsey joined Rangers on loan from Juventus.
Finally, Manchester United's misfit midfielder Donny van de Beek completed a busy first full day for new Everton boss Frank Lampard with a loan switch.
- Ian Tuckey
Aubameyang deal CONFIRMED
Arsenal frontman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang completed his permanent move to Barcelona just before deadline.
- Ian Tuckey
Ramsey: Rangers too big to snub
Aaron Ramsey revealed the lure of signing for Rangers was simply too big to turn down, writes GRAEME BRYCE.
The 31-year-old Juventus and Wales ace rejected four Premier League clubs and major interest from abroad, to complete a sensational loan move to Rangers in a stunning coup for Scottish football.
And the former Arsenal midfielder confessed the enormous pulling power of Rangers and prospect of playing European football in front of 50,000 passionate fans blew away the competition.
The 71-times Wales legend arrived at Ibrox shortly before 9pm and gave waiting fans the thumbs up before revealing: “I am really pleased to be joining a club like Rangers, where there is so much to look forward to between now and May.
“I had a number of offers on the table, but none matched the magnitude of this club, with European football and the chance to play in front of 50,000 fans every other week.
“I have had some fantastic conversations with the manager and (Sporting Director) Ross Wilson, and I’m really looking forward to working with both of them, and to meeting the supporters.”
Manager, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, himself a former Arsenal midfielder, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that we have been able to add a player of Aaron’s quality, experience and leadership to our squad.
“As soon as it was mooted as a possibility, I was really keen for us to try everything to get the deal done. I look forward to welcoming Aaron to the training centre tomorrow.”
- James Orr
Aubameyang to Barcelona
Now we wait for the deal to be announced!
As long as the deal was completed before the 11pm deadline it can be announced afterwards at Arsenal or Barcelona's leisure.
- James Orr
15 mins to go
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's medical with Barcelona is complete.
Expect the announcement any minute now!
What a day he's had.
Source: Read Full Article