Barcelona are reportedly keeping tabs on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with Arsenal open to the prospect of offloading their captain.
According to a report by Spanish publication SPORT, Barcelona have set their sights on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang over a late move before the summer transfer window slams shut. Arsenal are open to the prospect of the Gabonese attacker calling it quits at the Emirates, and will be willing to engage in a swap deal.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joined Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018 and made an instant impact at the Emirates. In fact, in his first full season at the club, the 32-year-old attacker ended up winning the Golden Boot. In the following season, he was among the goals again and was even promoted to the role of being the club captain.
However, under the tutelage of Mikel Arteta, Aubameyang has become a shell of the domineering forward he once was, managing just 15 goals and four assists in 39 outings across all competitions, since the start of the 2020/21 season. However, the Arsenal captain’s stock does not seem to have fallen one bit, with Barcelona reigniting their interest in him.
Barcelona have already bolstered their attack this summer by signing Memphis Depay and Sergio Aguero. However, with Martin Braithwaite still being heavily linked with a potential switch to West Ham United, the Blaugrana would be ready to enter the market for another attacker, especially after finally succeeding in registering their summer signings.
In fact, Ronald Koeman has himself confessed that a move for another striker could be in the offing late in the summer transfer window, which brings Aubameyang into the picture. Once touted to be Barcelona’s priority target a few years ago, Aubameyang and Arsenal chose to continue their tryst, although that has hardly been a fruitful once.
However, Arsenal are now open to the prospect of offloading Aubameyang following a horrendous season, even though that has been through little fault of his own. The report adds that Arsenal will be prepared to consider a swap deal for Aubameyang, although it is not mentioned if Barcelona are ready to engage in such a transfer.
In addition to Aubameyang, Barcelona are also closely tracking Alexandre Lacazette, with Arsenal open to a swap deal for the French attacker as well. What now remains to be seen is if either or both of Lacazette and Aubameyang end up departing the Emirates, and if their next destination indeed is Barcelona.
