Manchester United are reportedly attempting to steal a march on PSG by signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund this summer.
According to a report in the Daily Mirror, Jose Mourinho has identified Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as his top transfer target. Manchester United are, thus, set to battle PSG for the Borussia Dortmund striker in the summer transfer window.
Aubameyang has blossomed into one of the most prolific strikers in Europe during his time at Borussia Dortmund, going from strength to strength with each passing season at the Signal Iduna Park.
2016/17 was the most productive campaign for Aubameyang in his senior career, as he found the back of the net 40 time in 46 appearances across all competitions. 31 of those goals came in the Bundesliga, making him the top scorer in the German top flight this season ahead of Robert Lewandowski.
Manchester United are ‘ready’ to rival PSG for €70million-rated Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.{Mirror} #MUFC
— Man Utd Updates (@Utd__Updates) June 6, 2017
However, after four productive seasons with Dortmund, Aubameyang looks set to leave the club this summer. And there’s no dearth of interest in the player, with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona all previously linked with him.
However, PSG have been believed to be the front-runners in the race to sign the 27-year-old, with the club’s sporting director, Patrick Kluivert reportedly meeting with the player to offer him a three-year deal.
Certain reports have claimed that Edinson Cavani’s future at PSG is uncertain, and that the Uruguayan could be set to depart form the Parc des Princes this summer. Aubameyang is, thus, being eyed as the next man to lead Les Parisiens’ attack next season.
Aubameyang can also potentially form one of the deadliest attacking trios in Europe by combining with Julian Draxler and Angel Di Maria. PSG, though, now face stiff competition for the Gabon international’s services, with Manchester United attempting to hijack their pursuit of the player.
Jose Mourinho is prioritising the addition of a striker this summer and he has, thus, turned his attention towards Aubameyang. In fact, the Portuguese manager has ‘personally spoken’ with Aubameyang to discuss a five-year deal, as per the report.
Mourinho’s need to land a big name striker stems from the fact that he has Marcus Rashford as the only recognised option to lead his side’s attack next season, following the long-term knee injury sustained by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
And while the versatile Anthony Martial is another option for the Manchester United boss, the Frenchman doesn’t enjoy his manager’s complete faith. Aubameyang, thus, presents himself as a viable target for Mourinho to consider, as he can quickly establish himself as a key player in the Manchester United first-team setup with his prolificity.
With PSG yet to agree on personal terms with the player, Manchester United have every bit the chance to land him in the summer transfer window. It remains to be seen which deal Aubameyang chooses to pen, with both the European heavyweights set to go head-to-head in his pursuit.
