Arsenal: Pundit discusses Aubameyang’s transfer options
Arsenal look increasingly likely to lose Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang when the transfer window reopens at the end of the campaign. The Gabon international’s contract in north London expires in 2021 and this summer will mark their last chance to get a fee for him. But, in Gabriel Martinelli, the Gunners may have already signed the dream replacement.
It’s been a torrid Premier League campaign for Arsenal, with the Gunners containing to slide down the pyramid of English football.
They went into the campaign with hope and optimism after a fruitful transfer window. The signing of Nicolas Pepe was regarded as good business and many were expecting big things from Kieran Tierney, who joined from Celtic.
But Arsenal have suffered.
Unai Emery paid the price for their struggles, with the Spaniard losing his job in November after just 18 months at the helm.
And, while Mikel Arteta has steadied the ship since being named as Emery’s permanent successor, Arsenal still lack superstardom.
They have just one Galactico in their squad in Aubameyang. And he could be off some the end of the campaign.
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Barring a miracle Arsenal won’t have Champions League football to offer a player who, given he’s arguably the best striker in the Premier League, deserves to be playing on that stage.
Real Madrid could be his next destination, with Los Blancos chasing more firepower as they continue to recover from Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit two years ago.
Barcelona may also make a move, particularly with Lautaro Martinez and Neymar both likely to cost a premium.
And Inter Milan can’t be ruled out either, especially now they’ve managed to get Mauro Icardi fully off the books.
For Arsenal, losing Aubameyang would be a substantial blow.
And given he plays in a similar position to Aubameyang, the Samba star has all the makings of a true superstar.
Losing him would be a hammer blow, certainly.
But it would give Arsenal more space to make room for Martinelli’s development. The way he’s played this season, he definitely doesn’t deserve to be stuck on the bench.
In Martinelli, Arsenal already have the perfect replacement for Aubameyang ready in waiting.
Whether he’s given the stage to show his true talents in the long term is, though, something only time will tell.