Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s future has been up for debate for some time now.
The Arsenal striker has scored goals throughout the 2019/20 season, netting 29 goals in 44 outings in all competitions.
A versatile presence who can play on the left wing and through the middle, he has been a key player for the Gunners for some time, even scoring twice in the FA Cup final as Mikel Arteta picked up his first trophy as a manager.
In total, he has scored 70 goals in 109 games in north London, a rate of a goal every 0.6 games.
But his contract expires at the end of next season, and that means that the Gunners really need to get him tied down, or risk losing him in this transfer window or the next.
Reports have stated that he could well sign a new contract at the club but a new report may have cast doubt on that possibility.
Le10Sport, via Sport Witness, claims that Barcelona are interested in signing the Gabon international as a potential alternative to Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez.
The report states that Barca have placed the Gunners forward at the top of their list of potential striker signings.
The club take on Napoli in the Round of 16 of the Champions League on Saturday and will decide on whether to bid for the star after the game.
The two sides are level at 1-1 from the first leg; the winners will face the victors of Chelsea’s clash with Bayern Munich. That is likely to be the German giants, who lead 3-0 from their first leg.
GIVEMESPORT’S Harry Sherlock says…
This could throw Arsenal’s plans into disarray.
Aubameyang has been an excellent player for the club since his arrival from Borussia Dortmund in 2018.
Arteta really needs to keep him around but if he doesn’t, he will have to sign a suitable replacement, which is no easy task.
Aubameyang is valued at £50.4 million by Transfermarkt and he would represent a cheaper option than Inter’s Martinez, who has a €111m (£100.3m) release clause.
It would make sense for Barca to try to snaffle the former Dortmund forward away from north London.
It could be a disaster for the Gunners, however.