Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has had any hopes of joining Barcelona dashed after Xavi agreed to become their new manager. The striker has been linked with a move to the LaLiga giants, but Xavi has previously said he would not be a good fit for the club.
The 32-year-old was rumoured to be moving to Barcelona last summer but ended up staying put at Arsenal.
Barcelona were thought to still have Aubameyang on their radar amid their search for a replacement for Sergio Aguero, who has been ruled out for three months with a heart issue.
However, Xavi will end the club’s pursuit of the striker when he takes over having questioned his suitability to the club’s style last year.
Speaking about the Arsenal skipper in 2020, the Barcelona legend said: “[Sadio] Mane and Aubemayang can kill you in open space.
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“But Barcelona need players who know how to move in small spaces.
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A number of players have been linked with moves to Barcelona, including Aubameyang and Manchester United’s Edinson Cavani, as they look to solve their woes and begin to rebuild.
Aubameyang however appears destined to remain in north London and that will be music to Mikel Arteta’s ears.
The Arsenal boss has been full of praise for his captain in recent weeks despite the striker facing criticism for a lack of goals.
“I wouldn’t go to the goals, again it is what Auba is transmitting on the pitch,” Arteta said this week as he leapt to the striker’s defence.
“I have never seen Auba transmit what he is doing now.
“Apart from the goals, the celebration when they put the ball in the net, do you see the way he runs, the purpose he has to press the ball, and when he takes it his movement, his link, how is leading the game?
“That is when he is changing the rest, not when he is static and then he puts the ball in the net. I prefer this Auba.
“For me it is a click. It is a combination that realising that his role has to go well beyond that.
“What was good, or very good, two or three years ago, with his role in this team, at this club, it is not enough. He had to take a step forward.”