Aubameyang reveals real reason he left Arsenal for Barcelona

Barcelona striker, Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, has revealed that he gave up his £350,000-a-week salary at Arsenal to move to Spain.

The 32-year-old was banished by Gunners boss Mikel Arteta and stripped of the captaincy after returning late from a personal trip abroad in December.

In the January window, he left the Emirates by mutual consent before joining Barca in a dramatic deadline day move.

Aubameyang, speaking with Mundo Deportivo, claimed it was his “dream” to join Barcelona and he knew the transfer might happen a week before it went through.

He said: “My father did it all with my lawyer and they can say it best.

“But the week before we already knew that he could end up signing for Barca. The week before there were already contacts and I knew it.

“I really wanted to go to Barca. I gave up my salary because it is an opportunity that you have once in your life.

“It was something incredible (his ovation at the Nou Camp). It is a dream to play on a field like this and receive this ovation. I was very pleased and happy. The truth is that it was incredible.”