Arsenal have reportedly slapped a €25 million price tag on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is being tailed by Barcelona this summer.
According to a report by Spanish outlet El Gol Digital, Arsenal have named their price if they are to part ways with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang before the summer transfer window slams shut. The Gunners wish to recoup €25 million from the Gabonese attacker’s sale, with Barcelona keen on signing him.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is coming off a horrid 2020/21 campaign, wherein the tactics of Mikel Arteta played a major role in reducing his output significantly, making him a pale shadow of the domineering attacker that once won the Premier League Golden Boot. Indeed, the 32-year-old only managed a return of 15 goals and 4 assists in 39 appearances last term.
The pre-season leading up to 2021/22 was not memorable either and Aubameyang missed the season opener for Arsenal due to illness. Things seem to have reached a head at Arsenal now, as per widespread reports, with the Gunners ready to cash in on him. Barcelona are interested in signing the Gabonese international.
Barcelona have already beefed up their attacking unit twice this summer by signing Sergio Aguero and Memphis Depay. However, the departure of Lionel Messi has created a situation wherein they might have to sign another forward, especially with Ousmane Dembele and Ansu Fati on the sidelines.
As a result, the Blaugrana have been linked with a number of attackers in recent weeks, with Aubameyang recently emerging as a viable target. There have even been suggestions that Barcelona are willing to offer Philippe Coutinho as part of a part-exchange deal to land the Arsenal captain.
However, according to El Gol Digital, Arsenal have no interest in getting Coutinho, which makes sense, considering they are about to sign Martin Odegaard to bolster their creative ranks. Instead, the north Londoners have told Barcelona to pay €25 million to secure the services of Aubameyang.
This €25 million valuation is proving to be too steep for a financially stricken Barcelona, which could, in turn, force them to end their interest in the 32-year-old attacker, although as per the reliable Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona have not really been pursuing a deal for the Arsenal skipper.