Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been a prolific goal-scorer for Arsenal since he made the move to North London from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018. In 97 appearances across all competitions for the Gunners, the Gabon international has scored 61 goals, winning the Premier League Golden Boot last season.
Aubameyang has had a solid 2019/20 campaign as well. The 30-year-old, who was appointed the club captain this term, has netted 20 goals in 32 games. Despite his heroics, Arsenal are currently ninth in the Premier League table and are staring at the possibility of missing out on European football for next season.
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Given that he is entering the final phase of his career, there have been reports that Aubameyang could be on his way out of Arsenal to join a club where he can win trophies. And the fact that he has only one year left on his deal has added more fuel to the fire.
So, should Aubameyang decide to call time on his spell at Arsenal, here are three clubs he could potentially join in the next transfer window;
Barcelona
Barcelona are in the market for a new striker, as they look to replace an ageing and injury-prone Luis Suarez. The La Liga champions have lacked an able backup for the Uruguayan international for a couple of seasons now and have had problems each time he has been injured.
While Antoine Griezmann was brought in on a big-money deal from Atletico Madrid last summer, the Frenchman hasn’t settled in as well as expected at Barcelona.
Barcelona may be sitting at the top of the La Liga table right now, but their form has suffered over the course of the season as seen by their exits from both the domestic cup competitions. Captain and talisman, Lionel Messi has had to bail them out over and over again, and that over-reliance on him needs to end.
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To that end, Aubameyang would be a great signing. A proven performer at the topmost level with loads of experience, the 30-year-old has what it takes to spearhead Barcelona. The player, too, will be a part of a team that is a top contender for the Spanish league title and is always one of the favourites in the Champions League. A win-win for both the parties.
Paris Saint-Germain
PSG have been the most dominant force in France since the heavy investment from Qatar Sports Group back in 2011. They have made a habit of picking up the best players across Europe in recent years, and Aubameyang, too, could potentially join that list next summer.
Les Parisiens will be losing Cavani at the end of the season, with the Uruguayan international’s contract running out. And speculations linking Neymar with a return to Barcelona never die. While they would still be left with Mbappe and Mauro Icardi, whose loan deal is likely to be made permanent, another big-name addition wouldn’t be amiss at the Parc des Princes.
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Aubameyang, in that situation, fits the bill perfectly for PSG. The 30-year-old's goalscoring acumen would mean that his presence would ensure PSG continue asserting their superiority in France, while also giving them further ammunition to realize their Champions League triumph dreams.
Inter Milan
After several years of underperformance, Inter Milan are back as one of the top-dogs in Italy, pushing for the title under former Juventus and Chelsea boss Antonio Conte in the ongoing season. However, the Nerazzurri are facing the possibility of losing Lautaro Martinez this summer, with a host of clubs across Europe interested, which would leave them short on firepower in attack.
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Moreover, with Alexis Sanchez’s loan deal unlikely to be made permanent, Inter Milan will be thinly-stretched in the attacking department next season. And for them to successfully bridge the gap to Juventus and knock them off their perch in the Italian top-flight, another world-class marksman will be needed for Conte & co.
For that, Aubameyang could be the answer to this potential problem for Inter Milan. The 30-year-old fits the profile of strikers Conte likes to work with and his pace would be an asset in Inter’s counter-attacking style of play. The 30-year-old, who had a stint with Inter’s rivals AC Milan early in his career, would be attracted to the prospect of joining a team that is on the upward curve and playing for a serial winner like Conte.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Daniel Leal-Olivas
