Transfer Centre

Ray Parlour warns Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang that no-one is bigger than Arsenal

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 30 June 2020

Former midfielder Ray Parlour feels that Arsenal have been backed into a corner regarding contract negotiations with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Former midfielder Ray Parlour has suggested that Arsenal have been backed into a corner with regards to ongoing discussions with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

With the forward having just a year remaining on his contract, the Gunners are eager to agree fresh terms with the Gabon international.

However, at a time when Aubameyang will inevitably receive interest from elsewhere, there appears to be little movement on the attacker's side.

At a time when finances have been hit due to the coronavirus pandemic, Parlour has called on a decision to be reached with both parties.

Speaking to Goal, the ex-England international said: "Mikel [Arteta] will sit down with him and say, 'we desperately want to keep you at the club', but as a player, if he doesn't want to stay and says he wants Champions League football, you've then got to make a big decision.

"No-one is bigger than the club, I know he is a very important player and I would love to see him stay, but the players have got the power now.

"They can put clubs in corners where they have to make big decisions about whether to keep them and let their contract run out like they did with Aaron Ramsey, or they say 'how much can we get for him' and then try and replace him."

After losing Ramsey on a free transfer, Arsenal are unlikely to be willing to lose Aubameyang in the same manner.