Barcelona’s interest in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang makes no sense
By Durim Halimi
Barcelona are interested in securing the services of Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but this interest from the Spanish giants makes no sense.
According to a report from the Telegraph, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has made it clear that he wants a move away from Arsenal, and he hopes to join a team that will compete in the Champions League next season. Arsenal’s leading scorer has 18 months remaining on his schedule, but his desire to leave has created a major dilemma for the Gunners’ new boss Mikel Arteta, who is tasked with convincing Aubameyang that the team still has time to climb into the top four.
It remains to be seen what will happen internally, but at the moment it seems like Aubameyang is closer to being on his way out than he is to staying put. As a result of Aubameyang’s desire to move to a Champions League side, a new report from Football.London claims that Barcelona have thrown their hat in the race to secure his services.
A move to a team like Barcelona, who currently occupy the top spot in La Liga, is exactly what he wants as it would give him the chance to win domestic silverware and play Champions League football. While this move would enable the Gabonese international to fulfill his personal objectives, this move would not make sense for Barcelona.
Not the right player for Barcelona
Barcelona are desperately seeking a replacement for Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan international will turn 33 later this month, but the club’s transfer target, Aubameyang, will be 31 in mid-June. According to the aforementioned report from Football.London, Arsenal’s asking price for Aubameyang would be close to £60m.
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Knowing that, why would Barcelona spend a significant amount of money on a player who would be nothing more than a temporary solution for them up top? Yes, Aubameyang still has a few good seasons left in him, but paying around £60m for an aging player who would have to be sold for a much lower price in two or three seasons is not the right move for Barcelona. This move would just set Barcelona up for a repetitive cycle of buying players only to replace them in the near future.
What Barcelona need is a younger striker who is entering or is currently in his prime. The Spanish giants need to think of a long-term replacement who can lead the front-line for several years. Aubameyang does not fit that profile. The 30-year-old would definitely bang in the goals in Barcelona’s dynamic attack, but he is not the striker they need if they are focused on long-term success.