Report: European giants want Arsenal star for £18m, price tag was £70m just months ago

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Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has reportedly emerged as a target for Barcelona, who would be prepared to do business with the Gunners at up to £18million (Daily Mail).

The Gabon international is arguably Arsenal’s most important player, having scored 20 goals in all competitions this season and taking over the team captaincy.

Since his £56million move to the Emirates Stadium in January 2018, Aubameyang has registered 61 goals and 13 assists for Arsenal in all competitions.

However, the 30-year-old’s future is uncertain, given his contract expires next summer and no breakthrough has been made on a new deal.

Prior to the global health crisis, there was talk of Aubameyang being a highly sought after player with a hefty price tag – The Mirror speculated up to £70million back in February.

However, the football industry has been dealt such a financial blow that many clubs are expected to tighten their purse strings considerably.

Barcelona are one such club, with ESPN claiming that their transfer budget has been “wiped out” by the losses accumulated due to the global health crisis.

According to the Daily Mail, their primary target is Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez – who has a £98million buyout clause which expires on 15 July – but the situation is complicated.

Barca are reportedly hoping Inter will accept two players and around £45million for the 22-year-old, but Inter want a cash sum not too far away from that release clause – beyond the Blaugrana’s budget.

In that case, Barca could turn to Aubameyang – but only if Arsenal are prepared to do business at £18million or less, claims the outlet.

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A player of Aubameyang’s calibre should not be getting to the last 12 months of his contract without a resolution, and with the football industry set for a huge financial blow in wake of the global health crisis, Arsenal’s hand is weakened even further – a gamble which has backfired massively.

Now the Gunners are between a rock and a hard place – they can either sell Aubameyang at what is likely to be a hugely reduced price in a market where most clubs won’t be looking to spend big money, they can look to hold out until January and sell him for an even lower fee, or they can keep him for one more season and lose him for nothing.

That said, £18million is a frankly visible amount for a player of his calibre, who can get 20 plus goals a season and also brings leadership – Arsenal would be better off keeping him and letting his contract run down, as Champions League qualification – and progress in the competition – could end up being worth much more than £18million.