Auba and out: Barcelona to rival Man Utd for new No.9 target

Tom Weber

• 12 May 2023 15:30 BST
• 3 min read

Barcelona have seemingly shifted their focus away from Chelsea's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and their new striker target could set them on a collision course with Manchester United.

Cash-strapped Barcelona won't let their dire economic situation ruin their summer plans. Sure, they won't be able to sign their most expensive targets, but they will try to bolster their squad even though they still have to slash their expenses by some €200 million in order to be able to register new players.

According to Fichajes, wantaway Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has become too expensive for the Blaugrana. Long-linked with a return to the Camp Nou, both the player and the club had reportedly been keen on rekindling their working relationship, with Aubameyang even turning up in the Barcelona dressing room after a Clasico victory over Real Madrid earlier this year.

READ: Barcelona in CIVIL WAR over Ruben Neves transfer

If reports in Spain are to be believed, however, the Blaugrana won't be able to afford the Gabonese veteran, and they will instead have to look elsewhere for a backup to Robert Lewandowski.

Is Thuram the answer?

In addition to claiming that Barcelona have been forced to drop their interest in Aubameyang, Fichajes report that the 'Plan B' identified by director of football Mateu Alemany and company is Manchester United target Marcus Thuram.

The Borussia Monchengladbach striker tore up the Bundesliga prior to the World Cup, but his goals have somewhat dried up since his return from Qatar. Nevertheless, he remains one of Europe's most sought-after players, not least because he will be available for nought this summer.

The 25-year-old son of French legend Lilian Thuram is out of contract this summer, and Barcelona aren't the only ones eyeing the 16-goal man.

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Since January, Thuram has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford, and although those rumours have become quiet of late, Manchester United may be forced to reignite their interest in the affordable Frenchman given the uncertainty over next season's budget as the ownership question remains unresolved.