PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG is “happy” at Arsenal – but could ditch the Gunners for a move abroad, according to reports.
Speculation over the 31-year-old’s future is rife, with the Gabon international having entered the final 12 months of his Arsenal contract.
The North Londoners are desperate to renew their skipper’s contract, with boss Mikel Arteta having urged the club to get a deal done on more than one occasion in recent weeks.
Aubameyang himself will make the final decision, however, as he weighs up key factors.
The Athletic report that although he has an “excellent relationship” with Arteta and his team-mates, Aubameyang recognises that Arsenal are at the start of a rebuild and that as a player in his thirties, he may not be around long enough to enjoy the fruits of his new boss’ labour.
Head of football Raul Sanllehi is currently the man tasked with trying to convince Arsenal’s No14 that the Emirates is the best place to spend the final years of his prime.
Aubameyang will head to France on holiday after Saturday’s FA Cup final with all this on his mind, unless he can come to a decision in the next few days.
And if he does elect to leave Arsenal, it will be a choice primarily driven by ambition, rather than finances.
Having never won a domestic league title or major European trophy, Aubameyang is eager to do so before the end of his career and believes that he’d have a better chance if he were to move abroad.
Barcelona, Inter Milan and Juventus are all monitoring his contract situation with keen interest, ahead of a potential summer swoop.
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Aubameyang starred in Arsenal’s recent FA Cup semi-final victory over Manchester City, and may have to pull a similar performance out the bag against Chelsea on Saturday if the Gunners are to play European football next season.
He may be willing to stay even without Europa League football, but qualification could boost the Gunners’ chances of convincing their star man to stick around.
Arteta has elected to utilise his 27-goal striker wide on the left of late, but being the consummate team player, Aubameyang has obliged with no complaints – and this factor will not play a part in the forward’s ultimate decision.
