Arsenal manager Unai Emery has ruled out selling Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is a target for Premier League rivals Manchester United.
As quoted by The Sun. Unai Emery has insisted that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will not be sold by Arsenal in this summer’s transfer window. The Gabonese striker is reportedly the subject of interest from the Gunners’ Premier League rivals Manchester United.
Aubameyang has made quite a splash since joining Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018. The Gabonese was the final player to arrive at Emirates before Arsene Wenger called it quits as the Gunners’ manager and also the last big-name star that they have signed before being strapped by budgetary restraints.
But, in the short time he has been with the North Londoners, the 30-year-old has a splendid record of 41 goals and 12 assists in 65 appearances. 22 of these goals came in the Premier League last term, which saw him jointly win the Golden Boot. But, in the early days of the summer, Aubameyang saw his Arsenal future being under a cloud, which reportedly piqued the interest of Manchester United.
Manchester United are in a precarious situation as they begin another transition period. While the need to make reinforcements is imperative, the Premier League heavyweights could also be set back by a few big-name departures. One such player linked with a summer exit is Romelu Lukaku.
The Belgian international is being courted by Inter Milan. And, even though Giuseppe Marotta has claimed that Financial Fair Play constraints in pursuit of Lukaku, it is expected that the striker will leave Manchester United this summer. As a result, a number of possible replacement options have been linked with the Red Devils.
But, if signed Aubameyang would be, by far, the best deal Manchester United can clinch. Recent reports had claimed that Manchester United had even lodged a €69 million bid to swoop the star striker away from Arsenal. But, Arsenal manager Unai Emery has ruled out any possibility of selling the 30-year-old this summer.
Speaking in the aftermath of Arsenal’s pre-season friendly against Real Madrid, Emery said, “[Selling Aubameyang is] Not really in our mind. Not really. We are very happy with Aubameyang and we don’t want to sell him.”
There had been suggestions that Arsenal could be open to the idea of selling Aubameyang to beef up their modest transfer budget. But, with Emery evidently dismissing any such notion, it looks like the rumours linking the Gabonese striker with Manchester United can now be put to rest.
Manchester United must now turn their attention elsewhere, in order to replace Romelu Lukaku this summer, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameuang set to stay put at Arsenal beyond the summer transfer window.
