Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has emerged as a shock transfer target for bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur ahead of the summer window.
According to a report from Italian publication Calciomercato, Tottenham Hotspur are considering a shock swoop on local rivals Arsenal in the summer for the signing of their club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Aubameyang signed for Arsenal in January 2018 and has racked up a highly impressive tally of 85 goals and 14 assists from 145 games for the club, establishing himself as one of the most prolific goalscorers during his time in England, in the process winning the FA Cup and the FA Community Shield.
However, the 31-year-old has endured a difficult 2020/21 campaign right after signing a bumper new contract with the Gunners. Aubameyang’s decline in form this term has reflected in the Gunners’ downslide this term as they are set to finish outside the top six and having crashed out of the Europa League earlier this week, will likely not be playing European football next season.
Aubameyang, so far this term, has managed a tally of just 10 goals from 26 outings in the Premier League, which is nowhere near his best. Nevertheless, the 31-year-old seems to be in demand heading into the summer as Arsenal’s arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a shock swoop for the Gabonese international.
Tottenham, too, are in the same boat as Arsenal, in that they could very well miss out on European football, although they are within a much better shot of securing a top six finish than their neighbours. However, that might still not be enough to keep hold of star striker Harry Kane, who could be on his way out at the end of the season, as he seeks trophies in his career.
Indeed, the England captain has emerged as a top target for several clubs in England and abroad, with Manchester United reportedly plotting a £90 million swoop for him. With Carlos Vinicius, who is on loan from SL Benfica, unlikely to be signed on a permanent deal either, Tottenham are in desperate need of a new striker, which has seen them get linked with a move for Torino captain Andrea Belotti.
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And, as per the aforementioned report, Aubameyang is another player that Tottenham are now considering as a potential replacement for Harry Kane, should he end up leaving the club. Apart from the Arsenal superstar, the report mentions Real Sociedad’s Alexander Isak as well as Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri as the other two options that the Lilywhites are considering.
While a new centre-forward is very much a necessity, the idea of a move for Aubameyang just seems bizarre. Given his status at Arsenal, it is highly improbable that the 31-year-old would consider a switch to their cross-town rivals while Tottenham, under Daniel Levy, have adapted a transfer policy wherein they bring in players who will have a resale value, which given Aubameyang’s age, may not be the case.
Stranger things have happened in the world of football, though.
