Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has reportedly informed Barcelona he is ready to leave Arsenal and complete a move to the Nou Camp.
The Gabonese striker is yet to commit to a new contract with Arsenal, and will enter the final year of his current deal in the summer.
Arsenal remain hopeful of tying the 30-year-old down to fresh terms, but Aubameyang is desperate to win trophies.
Mundo Deportivo report Aubameyang has told Barca he is open to a switch providing they can match his ambition.
A transfer is likely to hinge on whether Aubameyang is prepared to force Arsenal’s hand by refusing to put pen to paper on a new contract.
The Gunners are in the compromising position of potentially losing their captain for nothing at the end of next season, in a similar scenario to how Aaron Ramsey left the club for Juventus.
Barca are believed to be eyeing a move for Aubameyang this month, with current first-choice striker Luis Suarez ruled out of action for the next four months as he recovers from a knee operation.
Aubameyang has stressed his commitment to Arsenal, but that could be tested if Barca were to make a concrete offer for his services.
He said recently: “I am the Arsenal captain. I love this club. I am committed to it and desperate to bring it back to the top, where it belongs.”
Arsenal, meanwhile, are looking to add defensive reinforcements in January, and are targeting Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykola Matviyenko.
The 23-year-old’s agent, Yuriy Danchenko, confirmed Arsenal had already made an approach to sign the centre-back this month.
Danchenko told Ukrainian media: “Recently, my colleagues and I have been constantly in contact with representatives of the Arsenal, and have had meetings.
“The Gunners’ hierarchy have already contacted [Shakhtar], and we hope that these negotiations will succeed.”
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