Former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is on the verge of sealing a surprise return to one of his old clubs. The Gabon international only departed Emirates Stadium in 2022 but has already represented four different clubs in the last three years.
Disciplinary issues saw his Gunners contract terminated by mutual consent with his four-year spell at Emirates Stadium, in which he scored 92 goals from 163 appearances, ending on a sour note.
Despite that, Aubameyang sealed a move to Spanish giants Barcelona just a day later. A positive spell in Catalonia ended rather abruptly but he was back in the Premier League at Chelsea just nine months on from departing north London.
His second spell in the capital was far less fruitful with a move to Marseille sanctioned 12 months later. Yet again however, it was another brief period at a new club as he signed for newly-promoted Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah the following year.
The 36-year-old scored 21 goals during his first season in the Middle East which saw his team finish fourth in the table. Despite that, another contract termination was mutually agreed and Aubameyang is now primed for a return to Europe as he has agreed terms to join Marseille after turning down what would have been his twelfth club.
As reported by Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna, he has officially refused to sign with Al-Ettifaq and is now set to sign for the French club on a two-year contract.
Fabrizio Romano then added that everything is verbally done with club chiefs Medhi Benatia and Pablo Longoria, alongside head coach Roberto De Zerbi, key to the Aubameyang deal.
The chance to play Champions League football again was also likely important for the player to choose a return to Marseille over remaining in Saudi Arabia.
With Chelsea and Arsenal also set to play in Europe’s top-club competition next season, Aubameyang could come up against some former teammates.
A number of other Premier League outcasts are also out to prove their worth at Marseille with Mason Greenwood, Angel Gomes, Neal Maupay, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Ismael Bennacer, formerly of Arsenal, all contracted to Les Phoceens.
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