Barcelona Transfer News: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Eyed Amid Liverpool Rumours

Barcelona reportedly sent a scout to watch Borussia Dortmund’s star centre-forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the weekend in what represents a blow to Liverpool and Arsenal's chances of landing the forward.

According to talkSPORT, Blaugrana scout Ariedo Braida was in Germany to run the rule over the Gabon international, who has been in sensational form this term. While Aubameyang was unable to grab a goal at the weekend against Werder Bremen, a match that Dortmund won 3-1, the Barcelona man was said to be impressed by what he saw.

As relayed in the aforementioned piece, Aubameyang has been linked with both the Reds and the Gunners, but it seems as though he is keen to test himself in La Liga. “I signed until 2020, even though I always dream of playing in Spain,” he told Telefoot (h/t talkSPORT). “My grandfather died last year, and I promised him to play one day in Spain. He was a fan of Real [Madrid].”

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But it seems as though Real Madrid’s rivals Barcelona have taken a keen interest in Aubameyang, with their transfer embargo set to come to an end in January. Here’s a reminder of what the Dortmund man could potentially offer:

The 26-year-old would potentially be a perfect acquisition for the Blaugrana. Barcelona typically deploy a front three, and Aubameyang has shown he has the versatility to play in any of those advanced positions. As of late, he’s showing the talent is there for him to thrive at an elite club, too.

When Dortmund signed him in the summer of 2014, it was unclear where Aubameyang was at his best. But during the back end of last season and the entirety of this one, he’s been sensational as a centre-forward for Dortmund, finding the back of the net on a consistent basis. 

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As we can see here, courtesy of OptaFranz, Aubameyang’s start to the current Bundesliga season is up there with the best in the division’s history:

If Barcelona do come calling and the forward does have a desire to play in La Liga, then it’d be tough for him to turn them down. The Gabon star may not be an immediate first choice with the likes of Luis Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi in situ, but he’d add a ferocious attacking option to Luis Enrique’s squad.

After all, Aubameyang is one of the quickest players in the game, as is evident here, per Coral:

Dortmund will be loath to let their star striker go, especially given he’s finally settling into life at the Westfalenstadion. Thomas Tuchel’s team have been one of the very best to watch in European football so far this year, and Aubameyang’s vibrant displays have been central to that.

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Barcelona would need to stump up a big offer to bring the forward to the Camp Nou, and they would love to have a player of Aubameyang’s dynamism to support their current attacking triumvirate. But after finally seeming to find his feet in Dortmund, a move away now, whether to La Liga or the Premier League, could sap the 26-year-old’s stunning momentum.