Newcastle United are reportedly prepared to make a loan offer for Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with a potential purchase option to be included.
According to The Mirror, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a serious target for Newcastle United in the January transfer window, with the Magpies prepared to make a loan offer for the beleaguered Arsenal forward. Newcastle could potentially hold a buy option if a move could be agreed upon.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Arsenal have been on a collision course over the past month when Mikel Arteta decided to change things up and axe the forward. Despite showing glimpses of his previous form, the Gabonese striker was profligate more often than not, which was not helping the Gunners seek the desired results.
Arteta and Arsenal decided to strip Aubameyang of the captaincy citing a disciplinary breach, and he has since been banished from first-team duties. On Saturday, their clash with Manchester City was the fifth Premier League game in a row that the forward missed, with Arsenal winning four of those.
Despite their recent setback against the Premier League champions, Arsenal have showed their best form in the former captain’s absence, scoring 15 goals in their last five Premier League matches. From the look of things, Aubameyang’s days at the club are numbered, with the Gunners reportedly willing to show him the door as early as January.
After Sergio Aguero’s premature retirement, early reports linked the Gabonese with Barcelona. Camp Nou could have been an ideal destination considering his situation at Arsenal, but his high wages could prove problematic for the Catalans.
There is some interest from West Ham United in the striker, considering David Moyes has been actively looking for a new striker to complement or compete with Michail Antonio. However, Aubameyang’s salary could again be a hindrance for a move to materialise.
Newcastle United had also registered an interest in the striker earlier after speculation emerged of the new hierarchy wanting marquee players to join them. Eddie Howe insisted on bringing in defenders and central midfielders as a priority to avoid relegation.
However, Callum Wilson’s fitness issues have created the need to bring in a new striker and Howe might go for a proven and experienced candidate. Aubameyang could reportedly be available readily in the January transfer window.
Considering the Magpies’ newfound cash reserves, his salary over a temporary deal might not seem like a problem for the club. As for Arsenal, they might be willing to sanction a sale and get his huge salary off their books, as they are themselves looking for a replacement striker, who may arrive in the summer.
The report suggests Newcastle are willing to make a loan offer to Arsenal with a potential option to buy him at the end of the season, for a reported fee of £20 million. This could be a fantastic deal for the Gunners if the Tyneside club is serious about their intent to sign Aubameyang.
The beleaguered striker, who has left Arsenal early to join his Gabon teammates for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, will not be available for the Gunners for potentially the entire month. However, he might be interested in a move away after his banishment and St. James’ Park could be the best possible destination, at least financially.
