Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was the victim of a violent robbery in which he was beaten by a group of armed thieves in the early hours of Monday morning, according to reports in Spain.
Spanish newspaper El Pais has reported that at least four men, armed with firearms and iron bars, climbed into Aubameyang’s garden at his home in Castelldefels at around one o’clock in the morning.
Citing police sources, El Pais reported that Aubameyang was beaten by the men and his wife was intimidated with weapons until the thieves were able to open a safe, from which they took “several jewels” before fleeing in a white Audi.
Aubameyang has two sons with his wife Alysha, and it is not currently known whether they were at home during the incident.
The attack on Aubameyang took place a few days after his Barcelona team-mate, Robert Lewandowski, had a £59,000 watch stolen when he stopped for supporters on the way to training.
As reported by Telegraph Sport earlier this month, Barcelona has gained a reputation as a hotspot for street crime in recent years. According to police figures, 34,000 thefts were reported in Barcelona between January and the end of May, around 225 per day.
The break-in at Aubameyang’s home comes amid uncertainty over his future in Spain, with Chelsea moving closer to agreeing a deal for the former Arsenal captain.
Telegraph Sport reported last week that there is confidence a deal for Aubameyang can be completed before this week’s transfer deadline, although it remains to be seen whether Chelsea will decide to push ahead with the move.
Aubameyang joined Barcelona on a free transfer in January after the termination of his Arsenal contract. The striker had been stripped of the captaincy and exiled from the team by Mikel Arteta after a series of disciplinary breaches. The 33-year-old has since scored 13 goals in 24 appearances for Barcelona.
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