Newcastle ‘contact’ Arsenal over signing Aubameyang on loan-to-buy deal

Aubameyang has not played for Arsenal since December 6

Newcastle have contacted Arsenal about the possibility of agreeing a loan-to-buy deal for outcast Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, as per The Mirror. The Magpies are reportedly interested in the Gunners striker, with Eddie Howe thought to be keen on taking the 32-year-old striker on loan for the rest of the season, with an option to make the move permanent in the summer. The Gabonese international's time at Arsenal looks set to be over after the striker was stripped of the captaincy by manager Mikel Arteta last month for an alleged breach of discipline. Aubameyang - who is currently away with his country on Africa Cup of Nations duty - has not featured for the Gunners since the 2-1 defeat at Everton on December 6. With no real chance of the forward playing against Manchester City on Saturday - a game which Arsenal lost 2-1 - Arteta allowed him to leave early for the tournament. The former Borussia Dortmund man could become Newcastle's first marquee signing since the club was taken over, and it could prove to be a crucial one if Howe's men are to avoid relegation from the Premier League. Additionally, the Magpies could be without Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin after the duo suffered injuries in the recent draw with Manchester United. Howe discussed potential transfers last month, stating: "Wait and see, I can’t give you promises on that at the moment. "As I’ve said before, there’s people above me who are working and looking at that. My focus is the team. A lot of games coming up and that is where it has to be. "But we’ll wait and see. January, as I said many many times, is notoriously difficult to predict and to have a clear plan at this moment is still virtually impossible because there’s twists and turns to come. "The group of players we have here is my and has been my main focus, will continue to be my main focus because as you say, getting the best out of every single one of those players is the key to us staying up." Aubameyang has registered 92 goals and 29 assists in 165 appearances for Arsenal since his arrival in 2018. Related links:

• Mikel Arteta claims he is not ‘dictatorial’ amid Aubameyang stand-off
• Aubameyang’s agent takes to Instagram to make Arsenal dig after striker removed as captain
• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang stripped of Arsenal captaincy after latest disciplinary breach