Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has hinted that he could leave Dortmund, with a long list of clubs interested in the striker
Aubameyang has been hugely impressive, with 39 goals in 49 appearances last season and a staggering 18 goals in 17 appearances this season.
The Gabon international has no shortage of suitors as a result, and he has been consistently linked with moves away some of the biggest clubs in the world as a result.
And Aubameyang has given potential suitors another hint that he wants to leave Dortmund while insisting he is staying focused on his season, and had this to say according to The Daily Mail :
‘I don’t know if I will stay,’ he said. ‘I just think about playing good football right now. I want to give my best and win titles. I just think about the sport and nothing else.’
‘Last year I scored 18 goals before Christmas. I hope I can do better this year. But I also want to focus on the second half of the season.’
But where will Aubameyang actually end up?
Arsenal
Arsenal reportedly failed with a massive €90m bid for Aubameyang in the summer, also failing for a move for Alexandre Lacazette once they moved on. Wenger is clearly a huge admirer of Aubameyang, and given Olivier Giroud’s current struggles to break into the first team it is a possibility that he could move on in the summer.
Arsenal are already short up front, and it is only Alexis Sanchez’s brilliant performances in his new role this season that have not exposed their lack of a world class striker.
Wenger could reignite his interest in the summer, and with Arsenal now willing to spend large amounts of money Aubameyang’s price tag could be met.
However, should it come to a price war between Arsenal and the other clubs on this list, there is no way Arsenal will come out the victors.
Aubameyang’s age does mean that Wenger might be unwilling to spend over the odds, however, as the Gabon international will turn 28 next summer.
Manchester City
Manchester City have long been rumoured to hold an interest in Aubameyang as they continue their quest to establish complete dominance on the Premier League. There were even rumours in the summer that Aubameyang was actually close to a move to Manchester, but he eventually stayed at Dortmund.
City are also light up front, with Sergio Aguero and Kelechi Iheanacho their only recognised strikers. Iheanacho is still too raw to be relied on as first choice in the event of an injury to Aguero, and Aubameyang could be just what City need to not only back Aguero up but play alongside him.
Aubameyang is also comfortable on the wing, and with Kevin De Bruyne’s brilliant passing skills City would be a fearsome prospect if they sign the lightning fast Gabon international.
Price will of course be no issue to City, and they will also be able to match whatever wages Aubameyang desires, something that will be a sticking point for Arsenal.
Real Madrid
Aubameyang has said in the past that it is his dream to play for Real Madrid, and that he promised his grandfather that he would one day play for Real Madrid before his death. Real Madrid have no shortage of strikers, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Alvaro Morata all on their books.
This has never stopped them from signing a hugely talented player in the past, however, and should Aubameyang really be available they are sure to show an interest. Aubameyang would form a hugely fearsome trio with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, one that could even rival that of Barcelona’s famous MSN strikeforce.
Given Madrid’s huge financial power, they will have no trouble matching Dortmund’s asking price and giving Aubameyang the wages he desires. Given that Aubameyang himself apparently sees Madrid as his first choice, it is very likely that we will see him in a Madrid shirt in the near future.
