Al Hilal have made an initial loan bid to take Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang off Arsenal’s hands and are prepared to pay his £350,000-a-week wages in full.
The striker was considered surplus to needs at the Emirates Stadium last month following a string of disciplinary breaches, with manager Mikel Arteta stripping him of the captain’s armband and excluding him from first-team training.
Aubameyang left for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in early January but returned after being diagnosed with cardiac lesions, however, he has stated he is “totally fit” following some follow-up tests and is expected to make a full recovery.
Despite his return to England, Aubameyang’s future lies outside of north London, and Sportsmail reports that the Saudi side could provide him with a path out.
According to the source, the Saudi club, coached by former Monaco manager Leonardo Jardim, has put up an agreement in which Aubameyang will join on a temporary basis with the option to make the move permanent this summer. Importantly, Al Hilal are willing to cover Aubameyang’s whole salary.
The Gunners are also considering a bid from Al-Nassr, a Saudi Arabian rival, while hoping to attract interest from clubs throughout Europe.
While Aubameyang is poised to go, Arsenal are still interested in signing Dusan Vlahovic of Fiorentina, though 90min understand reports the Serbian striker is not in a hurry to make a decision.
