Arsenal alerted by Ligue One star’s ‘come-and-get-me’ plea
Published:Both Arsenal and Newcastle are in the hunt for a striker this summer, and each have had their heads turned by St. Etienne’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Gabon international has racked up an impressive goal tally this season, notching 16 times in 23 appearances so far for Les Verts, who have enjoyed a sparkling campaign.
Indeed, the club sit in fourth place in Ligue One, and maintenance of that position would see them achieve their best league finish in well over 20 years.
However, without the financial reserves to truly compete with the likes of PSG for the title, St. Etienne’s star assets are likely to seriously consider moves elsewhere should interest in them arrive.
In Aubameyang’s case, it has done so from the Premier League, and the 23-year-old has done little to suggest he is keen to remain with his current employers.
By contrast, the former AC Milan trainee has outlined the belief that a £10m bid would be enough to secure his services this summer.
Aubameyang, also wanted by Fiorentina and Borussia Dortmund, told French press: “If people are talking about me then I am not aware of it. But if someone offers €12million to the club I do not know if I’ll go or not.”
Arsene Wenger’s history of signing and developing young talent from France would seem to put Arsenal in pole position to land the forward, whose power and pace define his playing style.
However, Alan Pardew has raided the French top flight to great effect recently also, bringing in the likes of Yohan Cabaye, Mathieu Debuchy and Moussa Sissoko, with the Toon able to point to their success as a means of persuading Aubameyang.
The lure of Champions League football would likely prove too difficult for the striker to resist though, and if the Gunners can achieve a top-four finish, which they are 4/6 to do, they will look most likely to secure Aubameyang’s signature in the close season.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
