Aubameyang tells Arsenal star to leave

Jacque Talbot

Updated: 1 Aug 2024 12:56 BST
4 min read

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has revealed that he told Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah to join Marseille.

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The two clubs have been engaged in talks for some time over a possible move for the forward, who has also been linked with a possible switch to Crystal Palace and Brentford.

Former Gunners striker Aubameyang spent last season at Marseille before moving to Saudi Arabia this summer.

Aubameyang, who departed Ligue 1 earlier this window for a move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Qadsiah.

But despite leaving, the striker encouraged Nketiah to consider a move to France, specifically to Marseille.

The French club made a €20 million (£16.9 million) bid for Nketiah, but it's thought that Arsenal are unlikely to accept the offer. The Gunners value the striker at €59 million (£50 million).

© IMAGO - Eddie Nketiah could be on the move

Nketiah played 37 matches across all competitions, amassing 1,393 minutes and scoring six goals.

The 25-year-old's contract at the Emirates Stadium runs until the summer of 2027, but he is looking for a move away owing to limited playing opportunities under Mikel Arteta.

In response to a fan's comment on one of Aubameyang's X posts suggesting that Nketiah join Marseille, the 35-year-old replied, "Already done."

It comes after Arsenal lost their pre-season friendly at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field against Liverpool.

Déjà fait
— AUBA⚡️ (@Auba) July 31, 2024

Arne Slot's men secured a 2-1 victory over the North London club, with first-half goals from Mohamed Salah and Fabio Carvalho. Kai Havertz brought a goal back for Arsenal, but they were unable to fully overturn the deficit.

What did Mikel Arteta say about Arsenal's tour of the States

Arteta, however, reacted positively to the game and the tour overall. He said: “We’ve got a lot from these 10 days in many things,” he said post-match. “The way we’ve lived together with all the staff and the players, and the way the new ones joined and in the condition they are all in, ready to play after three or four days in a game like this.

“Bringing Riccardo in and starting to settle him into our family, and then because we’ve had to adapt and play in very different conditions I think we did really, really good. On top of that, we didn’t have any serious injuries, so that’s something very, very positive.

“[The support] was amazing - the stadium, the atmosphere, I’m very grateful for everybody that turned up to watch the game. Hopefully we gave them a good game and overall in LA and here the support has been unbelievable, so thank you so much.”