Arsenal’s new signing Willian has talked up the need to keep hold of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has been the club’s top scorer over the past two seasons. The Gabon international has only 10 months remaining on his existing deal with the Gunners, but reports claim that he has already agreed to sign an extension.
So far, there has been no official announcement and Willian has expressed his desire to play alongside the marksman and create chances for him, he told: “He has to stay — it is very important to me. This is a guy who gets 25-30 goals a season and we have to keep a player like that. He’s one of the best players in our team and somebody I want to be making chances for.”
Aubameyang has been in a contract standoff for more than 12 months, but the Gunners have managed to make the breakthrough in negotiations after the FA Cup title success. According to ESPN, a three-year contract worth £25m has already been agreed with the striker and an official confirmation could be made before the start of the season.
Elsewhere, the north London giants are planning a major squad reshuffle this summer and the likes of Rob Holding, Matteo Guendouzi, Lucas Torreira, Alexandre Lacazette and Ainsley Maitland-Niles could head for the exit door. Meanwhile, a number of young graduates are also free to part ways with the club and reports have claimed that Folarin Balogun and Sam Greenwood could make the switch to Brighton & Hove Albion and Leeds United respectively.
The departure of those players could provide manager Mikel Arteta with adequate funds to land new signings. Willian has already joined the club on a free transfer and Gabriel Magalhaes could soon make the switch from Lille. He has already undergone a medical with the club after a deal worth £27m was agreed.
