For a long time now, we have constantly seen the rumour mill linking Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with a move away from Borussia Dortmund and that inevitable time does not seem far away. We have seen some exceptionally talented players making their names while at the German club over the years but Der BVB has failed to retain most of them.
The likes of Mario Gotze, Robert Lewandowski and Mats Hummels all left for bigger clubs, in fact, all left for Bayern Munich while the likes of Ilkay Gundogan, Nuri Sahin, Shinji Kagawa moved to foreign leagues.
During Marco Reus’ constant struggles with injuries in recent seasons, Aubameyang had become the darling of the fans but they have to start preparing for a heartbreak in the summer if reports are believed to be true. The forward has confirmed that he is looking for a fresh new challenge in the summer and wants to play at “the next level”. Now aged 27, the Gabonese striker is at the peak of his career and should be at this level for at least 5-6 years more.
Arguably, he is one of the very best in the business right now and there should be no shortage of suitors for the razor-sharp attacker but also there are very few clubs in Europe who can afford the transfer fee Aubameyang would command. This must be heartbreaking for the Dortmund fans but over the years, they have grown a thick skin to these departures.
All they would hope is that Aubameyang does not join Bayern Munich and that is unlikely because the player himself stated earlier that he will never join the rivals as that would be too hard for the fans.
So, what next? Let us take a look at five possible destinations of the Gabon international.
#1 Real Madrid
Real Madrid, the dream destination for most footballers in the world, happens to be the dream club of Aubameyang as per several reports in the past. Well, there is also an emotional reason behind this one. He supposedly promised his grandfather that he would play for Real Madrid at least once in his career when he was on his deathbed.
The quality the 27-year-old possesses should definitely interest the 11-time European champions and if that translates to a formal offer, Real Madrid seems like the ideal destination.
There are a few factors which make the deal a bit unlikely, though. Aubameyang moving to the Santiago Bernabeu would mean Karim Benzema’s Real Madrid career comes to an end. To be fair, Aubameyang is a much better striker than Benzema when it comes to being lethal in front of the goal but Benzema’s unselfish foil brings the best out of Cristiano Ronaldo and the others.
However, with both Zidane and Perez big fans of the Frenchman, Aubameyang might have to look for other options.
#2 Liverpool
Aubameyang should be ever indebted to Jurgen Klopp for the belief he showed in the former Saint-Etienne striker when he was a no one. The German gaffer, during his time at Borussia Dortmund, signed Aubameyang from the Ligue 1 side and after that, he never had to look back. Now that Aubameyang looks to be on his way out of Dortmund, a reunion with Klopp should definitely tempt him.
Anyone can see that Liverpool are in dire need of attacking reinforcements and who could be better for the job than Aubameyang, who was a revelation under Klopp in the Bundesliga. In fact, Klopp was the manager who used him as an out and out number nine for the first time. Liverpool are not a club who like to splash the cash so much but after slipping away from the title race this season, they should have a second thought on their philosophy.
#3 Manchester City
The blue half of Manchester also qualifies as a possible destination for the Gabon international. Pep Guardiola is a manager who can attract any player in the world. The manager, who brought immense success to both Barcelona and Bayern previously in his career, has failed to make his usual mark at Etihad and will surely look to spend big in the summer in order to bolster his squad.
It is a public knowledge that Pep and Aguero do not share the best of relationships while Gabriel Jesus is still very young. Aubameyang is a tailor-made striker for the system Guardiola believes in and his future can certainly be at the blue half of Manchester.
#4 Chelsea
It’s only Antonio Conte’s first season in English football but he looks to be cruising on to a historic title. Chelsea are in the driving seat for the Premier League trophy and winning it in his first season in England would be something that will take the expectations to the next level. However, we all know how Chelsea were troubled by a bid from Chinese side Tianjin Quanjian for their lethal finisher Diego Costa in January and the cash-rich club from China could once again test Costa’s resilience.
If Costa decides to leave Chelsea for a bigger package in China in the summer, Chelsea would need a quality striker who can fill in the boots of the Spanish international and Aubameyang is a player who is capable of doing that. Even if Costa stays at Stamford Bridge, Aubameyang's arrival would give Conte an option to switch to 3-5-2 which was his key to success in Italy.
#5 Paris Saint-Germain
Born and brought up in France, Aubameyang could be intrigued to return to his homeland if PSG enters the mix for the gifted striker. The French champions are experiencing a below-par season this time out and might not be able to retain their title this term considering the inspiring forms of both Monaco and Nice. The club is likely to do everything in their powers to get their monopoly back in French football and would definitely move for the 27-year-old if they thought they can bring him back to France.
PSG have exceptional pulling power but we have seen them failing to land the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo or Neymar over the years simply because money is not everything in football. On the contrary, Aubameyang is a French-based footballer which is why luring him to Parc des Princes would be much easier. This could also be a signing that could take the club to the next level which the ambitious owners have been trying for quite some time now.
