Barcelona sporting director Eric Abidal has hinted that his side could make a move for Arsenal skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the summer. Speaking to Spanish newspaper Sport, Abidal said the Catalan giants were keen to sign a replacement for Luis Suarez next season and Aubameyang was among the names being considered.
Barca were heavily linked with Aubameyang in the recently concluded winter transfer window, with many expecting the Gabonese forward to move to the Nou Camp on a loan deal. It however did not materialise and the 30-year-old striker, who currently captains the Gunners, will definitely stay at the Emirates Stadium till the end of the 2020/21 season.
The other complicating factor is Aubameyang’s contract- it runs till June 2021, but the striker’s representatives and Arsenal haven’t been able to reach an agreement for an extension. If he doesn’t ink a new deal, the Gunners may prefer to offload him in the summer rather than risk losing him for free later.
There are also reports suggesting that Mikel Arteta wants a dressing room clear out, and Aubameyang, along with Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil, could leave the club, with Arsenal faced with the possibility of having to miss out on European football altogether next season.