Ex-Arsenal striker and captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has revealed why he decided to give up his salary of R7.1 million a week to sign for Barcelona.
Official: Aubameyang Gets First Hat-Trick After Referee's Decision
The January transfer window was one of the busiest mid-season windows in recent years, with Aubameyang's exit from the Gunners and subsequent move to the Catalan giants being among the most exciting pieces of business.
Following a fallout with manager Mikel Arteta in England, the Gabon international ultimately ended up cancelling his contract at Arsenal in order to force a deadline-day switch to the Spanish giants.
After getting his wish, Aubameyang has scored three goals in four appearances for the Blaugrana following his hat-trick in their 4-1 win over Valencia this past weekend, and he has since admitted that signing for the club was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity he could not miss.
Here are all the deadline-day deals of the January window:
"My father did it all with my lawyer and they can say it best," he told Mundo Deportivo.
"But the week before, we already knew that I 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."
Aubameyang struck on 92 occasions in 163 appearances for Arsenal, winning the FA Cup and FA Community Shield in the process, while also finishing as runner-up in the Carabao Cup in 2018 and the UEFA Europa League in 2019.
Arteta Responds To Aubameyang's 'Problem' Claim
The 32-year-old was believed to be the Gunners' best-paid star on £350 000 a week (R7.1 million), with the Daily Mail reporting he now earns just £80 000 (R1.6 million) per week in Spain.
