Arsenal reluctant to trigger Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang extension

Arsenal are reportedly reluctant to trigger the 12-month extension clause available in the contract of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The Gabon international has been in a contract standoff with the club over the past year and he has just 11 months remaining in his current deal.

In recent months, it has been reported that the Gunners may have to sell him, if they are unable to negotiate a fresh contract, but it appears that they have the option to extend his stay for another 12 months.

According to The Athletic, the north London side agreed on an extension clause for one season when Aubameyang signed for them, but the option includes a significant increase in his £185,000-a-week wages.

The club are reluctant to trigger the clause at the moment and they would instead prefer to commit the 31-year-old to a new long-term contract on a lesser salary package.

Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta's side don't want the squad harmony to be affected by an unsettled player and could sanction Aubameyang's sale in case they are unable to negotiate a long-term deal.