According to a recent report by the Daily Express, Premier League giants Arsenal could end up losing the services of their star Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this summer, on the back of some interest from Spanish superclub Real Madrid. The report claims that the former Borussia Dortmund striker is currently being targeted as a plan B by Los Blancos, whose primary summer targets do remain Erling Haaland and Sadio Mane.
The report suggests that Real Madrid’s French manager – Zinedine Zidane, has already informed Aubameyang of the interest from the Spanish capital. The attacker’s current tenure at the Emirates Stadium is set to expire in about a year’s time, meaning that this could be the last opportunity for the Gunners to recuperate any of the transfer fees that they paid for him.
The report has further clarified that Barcelona and Manchester United are also keeping tabs on the striker, especially considering that he could leave on a free at the end of next season.
Why Is Zinedine Zidane Looking For New Strikers?
Los Blancos made the signing of former Eintracht Frankfurt man Luka Jovic in the summer, but it’s safe to say that the Serbian international’s displays have been extremely underwhelming up until this point. Having featured in 15 league appearances since the start of the season, the youngster has gone on to score just twice for Los Blancos and continues to cut a frustrating figure whenever deployed as the striker.
Karim Benzema has been the first-choice at Real Madrid for the longest time now, but depending solely on the Frenchman for goals could be taxing on his form as well as fitness. Although the striker has scored 14 times this season, the fact that he’s already 32-years-old should be running in the back of Zidane’s mind. Despite there not being any signs of him slowing down, it would probably be in the club’s best interest to try and find a backup option at the earliest opportunity.
Why Real Madrid Must Move For Aubameyang In The Summer?
The Arsenal striker has been the North London club’s best and most influential player this season by a fair distance, and it’s safe to say that losing him will be the Gunners faithful’s biggest worry in the summer. The 30-year-old has scored a whopping 17 goals from 27 league appearances this season, and despite this stellar record, Arsenal currently find themselves languishing in ninth place. Zidane probably won’t be presented with a better opportunity to sign him than this summer.
The Gabon international is a versatile attacker who can play anywhere across the front-line but is at his best when deployed as the main striker. The veteran is a strong finisher of the ball in and around the box and continues to be one of the North London side’s most impactful sources in front of the goal.
The former Dortmund man tends to time his runs in behind exceptionally well, while the fact that he boasts incredible pace will come as an added advantage too. All in all, Aubameyang does seem like a good short-term fit at Real Madrid, and if they’re unable to get Haaland or Mane in the summer, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Aubameyang make the switch across the English Channel.
