Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano recently appeared as a guest on The Beautiful Game podcast, where one topic of discussion was the future of Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Gabonese forward was in superb form for the Gunners once again last season, contributing 22 goals and three assists in 36 Premier League appearances, which was enough to see him average a strong 7.02/10 match rating (per WhoScored). The 31-year-old also grabbed a brace in the FA Cup final against Chelsea recently, so it is perhaps fair to suggest that he is one of, if not the most important player in Mikel Arteta’s side. However, his contract with the north London club is set to expire at the end of next season, and it seems from what Romano has to say, that they are desperate to see him sign a new deal – but he is yet to agree terms.
Here’s what Romano had to say about the chances of him signing a new deal with Arteta’s side:
“They are talking and it is up to Aubameyang because the contract has been offered from Arsenal to Aubameyang many months ago, so they did what they can for Aubamaeyang, they offered him an important contract and he’s going to decide soon, I think. Arteta is working every day, trying to convince him, they want him to stay, absolutely, and they’re trying in every way.
“[At the] moment, Aubameyang was waiting, I’m told because he was considering to see if other top clubs can offer him a contract like Barcelona if they don’t get Lautaro [Martinez], or other clubs, but at the moment, no one [has] made a bid for Aubameyang, so the hope of Arsenal is [that] it will pass [in] one week or two weeks or three weeks and he will say ‘ok, I will stay here.'”
TIF Thoughts…
Arsenal’s win in the FA Cup final could prove to be important in whether or not the former Borussia Dortmund man decides to stay this summer, as without it, the Gunners would have been without any sort of European football next season.
Do you think Aubameyang will sign a new deal?
Yes
No
From what Romano has to say, if Arsenal don’t receive any bids from top European clubs in the next few weeks, then the Gabonese forward will more than likely agree to extend his contract with Arteta’s side. Considering the 31-year-old has now contributed 70 goals and 15 assists in 109 appearances for the club (per Transfermarkt), it is easy to understand why they are desperate to see him stay.