Five realistic January replacements for Aubameyang
Robin Bairner
- 20 Dec 2021 04:10 CST
- 4 min read
As the January transfer window draws nearer, it seems all but certain that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will either leave or be entirely replaced by Arsenal.
Stripped of the club captaincy and reportedly training away from the first team after a disciplinary breach, the Gabon international forward has the hallmarks of a player who will be dumped by the club in the coming window.
Add to that a report from Tuttosport suggesting that Juventus could be interested in snapping up the senior forward next month and it seems as though Arsenal may be on the hunt for a new striker sooner rather than later.
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Eddie Nketiah and Folarin Balogun may get the opportunity between now and the end of January to audition for a more prominent role, but the fact that they have played a combined 108 minutes of Premier League football this season suggests neither is highly rated.
Arsenal, then, could head back into the transfer market, in which they were the Premier League’s second biggest spenders in the summer.
Who could they target to replace Aubameyang?
Mauro Icardi – PSG
Argentina international Mauro Icardi finds himself on the fringes of things at PSG, where he has been restricted to a sprinkling of appearances this season.
He certainly does not have the threat of Aubameyang when it comes to getting in behind defences, but he takes up smart positions in the box and is an excellent poacher.
Given his cost, though, Arteta will likely want a more rounded figure to lead his line. Nevertheless, the Argentine remains a possibility, especially if PSG are open to a loan.
Luka Jovic – Real Madrid
Out of favour at the Bernabeu, Luka Jovic’s goal scoring potential is well documented. Indeed, when he scored 27 times in the 2018-19 season, he was considered one of the hottest young striking prospects on the planet.
Now 23, Jovic is peripheral under Carlo Ancelotti and is surely craving first-team football.
Real Madrid are not in a financial position to turn down reasonable offers, so they would surely listen if Arsenal came to the table.
Richarlison – Everton
Arsenal have already been linked with Richarlison, who showed them at close quarters recently just how deadly a force he can be. Not only did the Brazil international net in the Toffees’ 2-1 win last Monday, he also had two goals disallowed for the most marginal of offsides.
Premier League experience is definitely a plus and the Gunners may be able to take advantage of Everton’s difficult financial position to engineer a move.
Randal Kolo Muani – Nantes
If the Gunners want to take a longer-term view when they replace Aubameyang, then Kolo Muani is a player they would be well advised looking at. Capable of playing through the centre or out wide, like Aubameyang, the 23-year-old has been quickly improving at Ligue 1 side Nantes.
Six goals and three assists in France’s top flight this season represents a reasonable return at a mid-table club.
With a contract that expires in the summer, he would likely be very affordable, too.
Mohamed-Ali Cho – Angers
Cho was on Arsenal’s books in his younger days but has since moved back to France, where he was the country’s youngest professional footballer last season.
He is now playing regularly for Angers at just 17 and has shown himself not to be just a raw talent. He is quick, athletic and skilful, although he clearly lacks the consistency and decision making to be a regular for the Gunners at present.
Nevertheless, he is a young man who could come into their rotation and be a strong option in years to come.
