Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s future at Arsenal remains uncertain with the club captain’s contract set to expire next summer, a whole host of clubs reportedly monitoring the forward amidst his stand-off with the north London side.
The Gabon international has established himself amongst the finest finishers in the Premier League since moving to the Emirates from Borussia Dortmund two-and-a-half years ago, winning the division’s Golden Boot last season and scoring 49 goals in just 78 league appearances for the Gunners.
Aubameyang will have no shortage of suitors should he choose to depart this summer and we’ve decided to look at the five favourites to sign the Arsenal captain:
Inter Milan – 15/2
Inter Milan’s summer recruitment saw the club threaten to mount a title challenge in the early part of the campaign but Antonio Conte’s side have since drifted away, the Nerazzurri still some way short of building a side capable of challenging serial title winners Juventus.
The future of star forward Lautaro Martinez is also in doubt as Barcelona continue to monitor the Argentine, and should he depart Aubemeyang could prove a high-quality and affordable replacement.
Aubameyang spent his early career on the opposite side of the Milan divide, but could the former AC player now return to Italian football in the colours of their biggest rivals?
The Arsenal captain would join a growing ex-Premier League contingent at the San Siro, with Romelu Lukaku, Christian Eriksen and Ashley Young amongst the notable names in the Inter squad.
Inter currently sit third in Serie A and are on course to secure Champions League football once more, perhaps a key factor should the 31-year-old choose to depart the Emirates this summer.
Manchester United – 6/1
An Arsenal captain and Premier League Golden Boot winner with just a year remaining on his contract – it feels like we’ve been down this road before.
Manchester United’s capture of Robin van Persie from the Gunners paid dividends after he inspired them to title success seven years ago, and could another raid on their rivals pay off in similar fashion?
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is believed to be keen to add to his attacking options this summer and the club have been linked with a host of names including the likes of Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish, and whilst a centre-forward may not be a chief priority a cut-price deal for Aubameyang may prove tempting.
United have shown signs of progress over the second half of the campaign and the addition of a proven Premier League star – albeit one approaching the latter stages of his career – could provide a further injection of quality as the Red Devils bid to close the gap to the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City.
Real Madrid – 5/1
Real Madrid’s summer splurge on new talent last summer has failed to truly pay dividends despite the club’s current position at the top of Spain’s top tier, Zinedine Zidane’s side embroiled in a tight title race with Barcelona but facing the prospect of Champions League elimination to Manchester City.
None of the club’s marquee additions – including the likes of Eden Hazard and Eder Militao – are yet to produce their best form, whilst highly-rated young forward Luka Jovic has failed to make any impact, scoring just two league goals.
It had been hoped the Serbian could prove to be the long-term replacement for Karim Benzema, the 32-year-old in desperate need of a player to help share the goalscoring burden, Real’s second top scorer this season centre-back Sergio Ramos on eight goals.
Whilst Aubameyang would represent a short-term solution, he could provide an increased goal threat to a Los Blancos side who have struggled to match the firepower of Barcelona this season.
Paris Saint-Germain – 5/1
Joint-second favourites to secure the signing of Aubameyang are Paris-Saint Germain, the Ligue 1 champions seeking a replacement for all-time record goalscorer Edinson Cavani who looks set to leave the club at the end of his contract this summer.
Aubameyang’s quality, affordability and potential availability make him a ready-made replacement for the Uruguayan, with PSG keen to build a side capable of securing Champions League success after years of domestic dominance.
Aubameyang could join a formidable looking forward line that already includes Neymar, Mauro Icardi and Kylian Mbappe, with the Parisians well placed to deliver the major silverware the Gabonese star has lacked in his career to date.
The forward – who was born in France and represented the country at U21 level – could also be keen on a return to Ligue 1 having previously enjoyed stints with clubs such as Lille, Monaco and Saint-Étienne.
Barcelona – 9/4
Barcelona’s pursuit of a new centre-forward is no secret with a host of names being linked to the Camp Nou, Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar and Inter’s Lautaro Martinez two players believed to be high on the club’s agenda.
The Spanish champions were reportedly considering a move for Aubameyang during the January transfer window, however, and are the bookmaker’s favourites to secure the Arsenal captain this summer.
Aubameyang would represent an alternative to the ageing Luis Suarez, whilst his versatility in being able to play across the front three makes him an attractive short-term option.
Few players are able to resist the lure of Spain’s big two when they come calling, and Aubameyang could be the next of the division’s leading names to be prised from the Premier League.
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