Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang recently became the fastest Arsenal FC player to reach 50 Premier League goals, beating the record previously held by club legend Thierry Henry. The Gabon international reached this landmark in just 79 games, which also makes him the sixth fastest ever in Premier League history.
Aubameyang has been absolutely outstanding since signing for the Gunners back in 2018 for a reported 56 million Euro, Arsenal’s record signing at that time. Since then, he has been named Arsenal’s first captain, became the joint winner of the 2018-19 Golden Boot and is currently level with Jamie Vardy for this year’s accolade. He is also one of the players in contention to grab the prestigious Premier League Player of the Year Award.
Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s new head coach, Aubameyang has played predominantly as a left-winger. Though he prefers to be up top on his own tearing the opposition defence apart, his numbers on the left-wing are better. His contract runs out at the end of next season and there’s a lot of speculation about his future. Reports suggest that keeping Aubameyang is Arsenal’s primary target for the summer, but here we will look at potential clubs which will be interested to get the services of the 31-year-old attacker, in case he refuses an Arsenal extension.
REAL MADRID
With last year’s summer signing Luka Jovic still taking time to find his feet at the Bernabeu and Karim Benzema being the sole option for Zinedine Zidane in the number 9 position, the Los Blancos will look to bolster this part of their squad for sure. Madrid have uncharacteristically struggled to find the back of the net this season and Aubameyang could help them fix that in 2020-21. His versatility is also something that will suit Madrid and the Spanish giants will easily be able to afford his hefty transfer fee and his wages. With him on his peak as a footballer and given his age, a move to Madrid will be the best thing which can happen to the Gabonese.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
With Edinson Cavani most probably looking to seal a move back to the Serie A and with Neymar having his eyes set on a Barcelona return, PSG will be out in the market looking for a world-class attacker. The French club has already made Mauro Icardi’s loan move a permanent one, but still, without Cavani and Neymar there will be a massive void to fill in that PSG attack. From the outside, if this deal does happen, Aubameyang will have to play on the wings to begin with, but he’s remarkable in that position too. He is sure to flourish under Thomas Tuchel’s attacking PSG side and can make them serious Champions League contenders for next season.
MANCHESTER CITY
Sergio Aguero’s recent injury means that Gabriel Jesus is the only striker in the senior squad for the rest of the season. Since 2017, Jesus hasn’t been able to nail down on that position and Pep Guardiola prefers to switch between Aguero and him to keep the opposition guessing. City have fallen 20 points behind Liverpool in the Premier League this season and the squad will need strengthening in the summer. Aubameyang will thrive under Pep Guardiola and looks like a perfect match for the club. A striker won’t be first on the priority list for City but it will certainly be a statement signing if they do get Aubameyang to join.
FC BARCELONA
The Catalan club looked very serious in the January transfer window on getting Aubameyang and if that’s any hint to be taken then Barcelona could be the new home for the striker. Even though the Spanish giants are fighting hard to get Neymar back to the club, if that transfer falls apart then Aubameyang will be a perfect fit in Quique Setién’s squad. With the uncertainty hovering over the future of Antoine Greizmanm, Ousmane Dembele and Martin Braithwaite, Aubameyang can become their number one target in the summer transfer window. The club is in a difficult phase currently with even Lionel Messi’s future coming under scrutiny. With his contract expiring next season and his frustration with the direction in which the club is heading, Barcelona may have to revamp their entire squad and Aubameyang could be the starting point of the rebuilding phase.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United have adopted the theory of backing young players who would play for the badge day in day out. With their front three in Marcus Rashford, Antony Martial and Mason Greenwood doing exceptionally well post the restart, they seem like a completed puzzle of late. Adding Daniel James to the above three and the average age of the attacking line is a mere 21. These boys are doing great and have a lot of years in front of them to peak but for titles, you need the necessary experience as well. In that aspect, Aubameyang could become the player to take United back to its glory days. He is a proven goalscorer in the Premier League and will lick his lips to get an opportunity to link up with the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba. Adding strength to their defence would be the priority for United but Aubameyang could just be the X-factor the Reds need to challenge for titles next season.
Read: Why Chelsea Will Become A Force to Reckon with Next Season?
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