Arsenal reportedly paid Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang a lump sum of near-£7million to terminate his £350,000-a-week Gunners contract and facilitate his move to Barcelona on Tuesday.
The 32-year-old left Arsenal on a free transfer and is believed to have taken a pay-cut to join the Catalan giants, with a formal presentation expected to take place later today.
In a manner similar to Mesut Ozil previously, Arsenal have again ripped up the contract of their top earner, with The Times saying it cost the north London club nearly £7m to do so with the Gabon striker.
When German World Cup winner Ozil left for Fenerbahce last January his Gunners contract - which was also £350k-a-week - was torn up yet the Premier League side paid 90 per cent of Ozil's wages until the summer, meaning they forked out around £7.38m.
Arsenal have also terminated the deals of high earners such as Willian, Sead Kolasinac and Shkodran Mustafi in recent years.
Willian rather generously tore up his contract without asking for a pay-off when he joined Brazilian side Corinthians last summer, saving Arsenal a staggering £20.5m as he had two years left on his £240,000-a-week contract.
Kolasinac'sc contract was also terminated last month as he joined Marseille on a free transfer, while Mustafi left the Gunners last January for Schalke after his £90,000-a-week deal was also ripped up.
The Times report also details that Aubameyang's deal at the Nou Camp could improve over the summer should he succeed over the rest of this season.
Aubameyang, who was made Arsenal club captain last season after signing a new mega-deal in September 2020, fell out of favour under Mikel Arteta after a number of disciplinary issues.
On Tuesday night, Barca's new signing penned an emotional farewell on social media, saying: 'Having the chance to win trophies and the honour of being captain of this club is something I will forever keep in my heart.
'I have always been 100 per cent focused and committed to doing everything I can for this club which is why leaving without a real goodbye hurts.
'I am sad I didn't get the chance to help my team-mates in the last few weeks but I wish all my guys and fans all the best and many successful years.'
m4verickplays
15
its funny how some top arsenal legends are blaming Auba for leaving when its clear he wasn't wanted there anymore! You stay they dont want you, you leave they still blame! wonders shall never end!