Barcelona Cool Interest In Aubameyang To Focus On Lautaro (Star)

Barcelona have ‘cooled interest in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as they prioritise a move for Lautaro Martinez’ this summer.

Arsenal
striker Aubameyang is on the wishlist of a number of leading European
sides but the Daily Star reports that Barcelona are focusing their
attentions on in-form Inter Milan striker Martinez.

The
Gunners could cash in on their star man with his contract set to expire
in the summer of 2021 and with Barcelona dropping interest, it comes as a
boost to another reported suitor, Manchester United.

The
report details how Arsenal feel Barcelona have persistently ‘tried to
unsettle’ the Gabon striker with links of a move to LaLiga ahead of next
season. 

Aubameyang has insisted he is happy in north
London but the 30-year-old is yet to commit to a new contract and the
club could move him on, rather than see him follow the lead of Aaron
Ramsey and leave on a free transfer.  

Arsenal paid Borussia Dortmund a club record fee of £56million for the Gabon international in January 2018. 

Along
with Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain are also thought to be
interested in signing the striker and would be able to offer him
Champions League football assuming the competition goes ahead as planned
next season. 

Martinez has been one of the best performers in Serie A this season as Inter produced a fierce title battle with Juventus. 

Inter
manager Antonio Conte is determined to retain the services of the
Argentine forward but the report details how Barcelona have made
acquiring Martinez a priority ahead of any move for Aubameyang. 

Quique Setien is under no illusions that he needs to bolster his attacking options come the end of the season.  

Such
was the club’s crisis this season, Spanish football chiefs granted
Barcelona the chance to make a signing outside of the January window due
to long-term problems for both Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele.

Barcelona
paid the release clause for Leganes striker Martin Braithwaite to ease
their forward crisis; it is an area they are focused on addressing ahead
of the 2021-22 season.