Harry Diamond
Bacary Sagna has warned Arsenal that they ‘can’t afford to lose’ Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and has urged his former club to pay the forward whatever it takes to keep him at the Emirates.
Aubameyang’s future at the club is uncertain with just over a year remaining on his current contract, with Barcelona reportedly interested in a deal to sign the 30-year-old as talks with Arsenal continue to stall on an extension to his deal.
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The Gabon international has enjoyed another superb season for the north London side and remains in the hunt for a second successive Golden Boot award, scoring 20 goals in all competitions and starring since being handed the captaincy earlier in the campaign.
Mikel Arteta has spoken publicly of his desire to keep the forward at the club and Sagna has urged the Gunners to ‘learn’ from previous mistakes, warning it could cost the club £150m to replace a player of Aubameyang’s quality.
? February Goal of the Month ?
Congratulations, @Aubameyang7 ? pic.twitter.com/x2rzhVaYFY
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 11, 2020
“He can’t go now because Arsenal are on the way to building something strong,” Sagna told Goal. “They can’t afford to lose him. If they have to pay him, then just pay him because if they want someone else of his quality they cost £150m.
“So don’t spend this £150m, just spend £50m and give it to him. It’s the same as van Persie and I think you have to learn from that situation.
“Auba deserves it. I’m not saying that because of his name or because he has scored a few goals. He’s the best striker in the league.”
Sagna believes Aubameyang has flourished into a world-class talent since making the move to the Premier League two years ago, hailing the improvement of the ‘clinical’ forward who has scored 49 goals in just 75 appearances since arriving from Borussia Dortmund.
“One year ago someone asked me if he was world class and I replied no. Some people were not happy about my answer, but to me he had the potential to be better and to be more clinical.
“One year later, yes he is world class because every time he is in front of goal he scores. Even his movement is different.
“He is clinical, he is so dangerous. As a defender, you don’t want to be facing this type of player.”
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