Ray Parlour is ‘praying’ that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang signs a new Arsenal deal – but he’s well aware the Gunners MUST sell their star striker if he refuses a contract extension.
Aubameyang’s existing contract has slightly over a year to run, expiring at the end of next season, and it has been expected talks over a new deal would shortly begin.
However, the latest reports claim Arsenal have not begun negotiations with the Gabon forward, who has scored a remarkable 61 goals in only 97 appearances since joining from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018.
The worry for Arsenal is that, if Aubameyang does not want to sign a new contract, they could lose their most prized asset for FREE next summer when his deal expires.
Of course, Aubameyang may extend his deal sometime next term and remove the fear of his Emirates exit for nothing, but best practice would be Arsenal offering him a contract right now so they can determine whether he wants to extend his stay in north London before the transfer window finally reopens.
If he refuses fresh terms, Arsenal can then set about selling Aubameyang for as much as they can right now – rather than risk losing him for free just one year later.
And Parlour, the Gunners great, made it clear that cashing in on Aubameyang is the only option for Arsenal if he does refuse to sign a new deal.
“I think you’ve got to sell him if he doesn’t sign a contract, and then take the money and try to replace him,” said the Romford Pele on Friday’s talkSPORT Breakfast.
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“It’s really difficult to keep a player if he doesn’t want to stay.
“It’s a big decision to make, but I don’t know what sort of money you could get for him if he doesn’t want to stay. If you get a good fee for him then you have to try and go out and replace him.
“That is difficult, but it has happened at every single club when players come to the last year of their contract.
“I’m praying that he wants to stay and Arsenal can sign him on a new contract and he can be there for the next two or three years under [Mikel] Arteta.
“It all depends on the manager as well, if they get on, and also if he feels the club is going forward.
“That is the big decision the club have got to make, but hopefully he stays.”
Kieran Tierney is another player linked with an Arsenal exit, just one year after joining from Celtic.
A £25million switch to Leicester has been mooted with doubts over the future of Ben Chilwell at the King Power Stadium, but Parlour has poured cold water on this transfer proposal.
He added: “Well he would be playing Champions League football next season if he did move to Leicester, but I’d be amazed if Arsenal let him go.
“What I’ve seen of him when he’s played, he looks a very exciting player.
“His age as well will come into it; he’s only a young lad.
“I would definitely keep him, and once he’s fit give him a run in the team and have a look at him properly.”
Watch a clip of Ray Parlour on talkSPORT, above…
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