Manchester United have reportedly made a €69 million bid for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in a shock move to sign the Arsenal superstar.
According to Italian publication FC Inter News, Manchester United are confident of completing the sale of Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan and have already proceeded to sign a replacement for the Belgian. The report states that Manchester United have made a shock approach to prise Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang away from Arsenal.
As per the report, Manchester United have submitted an offer worth €69 million to Arsenal for Aubameyang, with the Gunners not looking to sell their star forward. But, Unai Emery is strapped for funds and the prospect of adding €69 million to the transfer kitty could be a tempting one for the Arsenal manager.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was the last marquee signing made by Arsene Wenger as the Arsenal manager. But, he has been worth the money, with the Gabon international finishing last season with 22 goals in the Premier League, to be the joint top scorer alongside Liverpool forwards Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.
The former Borussia Dortmund forward was linked with a summer exit from Arsenal, with the player rumoured to be the subject of a mega-money offer from China amid speculation about his future. But, Aubameyang reportedly opted to remain at Arsenal. Manchester United’s interest and reported bid though, could sway him towards an exit.
Arsenal look set for a summer of crisis, despite Unai Emery’s recent comments of the club looking to bring in several exciting signings. The lack of funds could see Arsenal miss out on a few of their primary targets, which will not do a whole lot of good in convincing the current crop that the Gunners will forge a title challenge or compete for top honours in the coming season.
Manchester United, on the other hand, have already addressed one of their problem areas, bringing in Aaron Wan-Bissaka to fill the right-back position. Daniel James has been brought in as an exciting prospect that can play on both wings and could potentially solve the right wing crisis, although he seems to prefer the left side.
There are talks of Harry Maguire being close to a switch to Old Trafford, with a move for Bruno Fernandes also lined up. These are clear signals from Manchester United that they intend to compete for trophies this season. With Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan close to being a done deal, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to bring in a striker to partner and compete with Marcus Rashford.
While the report says that Arsenal are not keen on listening to any offers for Aubameyang, let alone from Manchester United, there is no indication that the Gunners are ready to flat out ignore the bid. The transfer does look a rather surprising one and one that could just be a rumour, especially after how the Alexis Sanchez move turned out.
But, if Aubameyang were to make a shock move to Manchester United, a-la Robin van Persie, that would be a huge boost to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s mission to bring United back into the reckoning for the Premier League title and other top honours.
