Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is reportedly open to joining Barcelona in the January transfer window, with his Arsenal future in the air.
According to a report by Spanish publication SPORT, Barcelona have been handed a major boost in pursuit of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The former Arsenal captain is prepared to depart the Emirates to join the Blaugrana in the January transfer window.
Aubameyang is at his lowest ebb as an Arsenal player, having gone from an indispensable figure and the most potent attacker for his side to an out-of-favour figure. Once a player who scored goals for fun at the Emirates, the Gabonese forward was appointed as the club captain midway through the 2019/20 season.
However, after several disciplinary breaches, the 32-year-old has been stripped of the captaincy by Arsenal. Aubameyang had already been enduring a difficult 2021/22 campaign, with only four goals and one assist in 14 Premier League appearances. However, after the latest setback, the player looks set to leave Arsenal, with Barcelona keen on signing him.
The Catalan giants hold a long-standing interest in Aubameyang, having previous attempts to sign him. Barcelona’s continued eagerness to sign the Arsenal forward is understandable, following Sergio Aguero’s decision to call time on his career due to the effects of a heart ailment.
Aguero’s retirement leaves Xavi Hernandez with Martin Braithwaite and Luuk de Jong as the only natural strikers at his disposal. While Braithwaite is best used as a backup option, de Jong has been a dud since joining Barcelona on loan from Sevilla in the summer.
There have also been claimed that de Jong could be on his way to Inter Milan, with Alexis Sanchez returning to Barcelona on loan in January. So, Barcelona must sign a striker in the January transfer window, with Aubameyang a viable target. And the La Liga heavyweights have been handed a major boost in pursuit of the Arsenal forward, who would welcome the opportunity of joining the club.
In addition to Aubameyang, Timo Werner and Edinson Cavani have also been heavily linked with Barcelona, but signing Aubameyang on the cheap could work out well for the Blaugrana. With his Arsenal future highly uncertain, it will not be surprising to see Aubameyang joining Barcelona this winter.
