The Gabon captain sealed a move to the Spanish giants on deadline day, but the buildup to the deal was full of drama
Former Arsenal star Paul Merson has compared Pierre Emerick Aubameyang’s behaviour ahead of his move to Barcelona to former Super Eagles star Peter Odemwingie failed move to QPR.
Aubameyang completed a free transfer to Barcelona from Arsenal just before the deadline day passed on Monday night.
However, before the deal was agreed between the two clubs, Aubameyang had travelled to Spain without Arsenal’s permission, which Merson found funny.
The Gunners legend compared the situation to that of Odemwingie, whose behaviour on the deadline day of January 2013 was the headline of that transfer window.
Odemwingie had driven down all the way from West Brom to QPR’s home ground in London with the intention to sign for the Hoops.
But he was denied entry after West Brom released a statement that they had not agreed a deal with QPR, and Odemwingie had not been given permission to speak with the club.
It is similar to what Aubameyang did, although the Gabon striker eventually completed his move to Barcelona.
Nonetheless, Merson could not resist having a dig at him, saying the former Borussia Dortmund star did an Odemwingie.
“That’s like Odemwingie going down to Loftus Road and saying I am just going down for a takeaway,” Merson said on Skysports.
🗣 “That’s like Odemwingie going down to Loftus Road and saying I am just going down for a takeaway.” 🤣
Paul Merson is not having the reason behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s trip to Barcelona being a “family trip” pic.twitter.com/VQEACxwYMH
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) January 31, 2022
But while Odemwingie failed to secure his move to QPR from West Brom, Aubameyang was successful in his quest, joining Barcelona on a free transfer.
