Rio Ferdinand sends message to Aubameyang after leaving Arsenal for Barcelona

Manchester United legend, Rio Ferdinand has sent Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang good luck messages as the striker swaps Arsenal for Barcelona on transfer deadline day.

Ferdinand also believes the Gabon international could provide some much-needed experience at Barcelona.

The former England defender defended Arsenal’s decision to let the 32-year-old leave the Emirates.

Aubameyang was frozen out of the Arsenal first team by the manager, Mikel Arteta, who also stripped him of the captaincy.

Arsenal terminated Aubameyang’s contract on Monday night after they could not find a buyer for the player and he left as a free agent.

Ferdinand said on his FIVE YouTube channel: “No disrespect to the players that are going there but it’s very different now.

“It’s like Man United, very different types of players are going there now and the players that they’re in the market for [are very different]. Barcelona are in a rebuilding process.

“I think Xavi is looking at [Aubameyang] as someone who has something to prove, wants to play football, has experience and maybe can fit the style that he wants to play. That remains to be seen.

“But Xavi has a lot of young players there that he’s building the team around and he does need experience.

“And maybe someone like Aubameyang – who he probably feels he can rein in and refocus – might be an asset.

“So I wish him good luck, because I think for both parties Aubameyang needed to leave. For his sake, for his footballing sake, but also for Arsenal’s sake.

“You don’t want it as a club, a player hanging around who’s not really wanted at the football club by the manager.”