Arsenal should hand a lucrative contract to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to ward off interest from Real Madrid or Barcelona.

The 30-year-old is reported to have told the Gunners he wants to leave with less than 18 months left on his current deal, with Real Madrid and Barcelona credited with an interest.

But former player Nicholas believes the north London outfit must do all they can to retain his services – and sell him next season if he wants to leave.

“Wholeheartedly as an Arsenal man, I would give him the contract that he desires – if he wants to stay that is. You give him what he wants because if in a year’s time you can’t sell him, you get your value for money back.

“I just don’t see the point in running down contracts. If Barcelona or Real Madrid come in for him, I would hold my hands up and say ‘I’m not surprised he wants to go there’, it doesn’t surprise me.

“I don’t expect Liverpool or Manchester City to try and get him, so it’s going to be European clubs. At his age, if they get good money for him and he wants to leave, I don’t have a problem with that.”