Real Madrid have reportedly set their sights on Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang over a move late in the transfer window.
According to a report by Spanish outlet El Gol Digital, Real Madrid have been forced to turn their attention away from Kylian Mbappe late in the summer transfer window. As a result, the Spanish giants have identified a few alternatives to the Frenchman, one of whom is Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Aubameyang joined Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018 before going on to enjoy a productive 30-month period from that point on. However, under the tutelage of Mikel Arteta, the 32-year-old has been on a constant downward spiral, struggling to score goals consistently as he had done for much of his career.
Indeed, Aubameyang could only manage a paltry return of 15 goals and four assists in 39 outings last term. And things have reached such a point at Arsenal that it has been suggested that the north Londoners would not be averse to the idea of parting ways with the Gabonese international. Such a situation seems to have piqued the interest of Real Madrid.
Real Madrid have been reported to be in the market for an attacking reinforcement this summer, and for good reason, seeing as Karim Benzema has had to shoulder much of the goalscoring burden for the last few seasons.
While there is hope that Eden Hazard can finally regain his best form this season by putting his injury woes behind him, Real Madrid will still need another attacking addition. To that end, the Merengues had been plotting a late move for Kylian Mbappe, only to be rebuffed in that pursuit.
With Mbappe now only likely to be signed next summer at the earliest, Real Madrid have been forced to identify alternatives to the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner. To that end, Aubameyang is a viable target for Los Blancos, especially seeing as he can play through the middle or out wide, giving Carlo Ancelotti multiple ways to utilise the Arsenal captain.
Aubameyang has also been linked with Barcelona in recent times, but it is highly unlikely that the Catalan giants will be making their move for him. As for Real Madrid, it remains to be seen if they launch the offensive for the Arsenal forward or make a serious effort to sign some other Mbappe alternative instead.
