The transfer status of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang seems like it is permanently up in the air.
Dortmund’s star striker has drawn interest from massive clubs around Europe, but still he remains in the black and yellow kits. His contract with BVB runs until 2020, but the rumors around his future are always swirling. And Auba is the type of player who isn’t afraid to speak candidly about his transfer desires.
As this season comes to an end, again the possibility arises that we are seeing Aubameyang play in his final games for BVB. PEA himself has often spoken about his desire to eventually play for Real Madrid, as it was something he promised his Grandfather. Paris St. Germain is another big club he could possibly land at, but sometimes a lack of concrete interest makes it seem like he’s more likely to remain at Dortmund.
We at Fear The Wall are certainly in the business of making predictions, even if they may fail horribly. So here’s where some of our bold, fearless writers think Auba will be plying his trade next season.
Gilles Hoffmann:
I have absolutely no clue what's going to happen with Auba this summer. At this point I'm 100% sure that Real Madrid won't come knocking for Aubameyang, which should take his number one option off the table, but PSG or Manchester City might lure him away from Dortmund. At this point I'm leaning towards "Auba will leave", the question will just be how much money will Dortmund get?
The more pressing issue is who will Zorc go after if Aubameyang does leave? Will it be the "we want to challenge for the Bundesliga title and the Champions League" category with Alexandre Lacazette or Alvaro Morata, or will it be the "let's start over again" category with Kelechi Iheanacho, Patrik Schick or Moussa Dembélé. In my opinion, it would be Lacazette who would fit into the squad and would be affordable (if Auba leaves of course) but it will probably be someone like Schick. Honestly I wouldn't be to upset if it turns out to be Patrik Schick, Dortmund should try to get him no matter what happens to Aubameyang.
Brian Meyers:
Honestly, I have no read on the Aubameyang situation.
He is doing well at Dortmund and is still on a long contract. That being said money talks and the elite teams can offer him whatever he wants. Also he promised his Grandfather he would one day play for Real Madrid. I think Aubameyang leaves whenever RM come calling...If they come calling.
Sean Keyser:
Basic Economics time: In the market for labor, there are two parties: the employer and the employee (and the government, but let's not go down that road). In any labor transaction, there is a laborer who desires to supply his labor, and an employer who demands said labor. Aubameyang wants to work for Real Madrid. The reason I don't think he will leave for Real Madrid is because Real Madrid don't need him. There is no reason for them to splash big money on Auba when they have Benzema, Ronaldo whose short-term future is as a center forward, and Alvaro Morata.
As much as Aubameyang may want to go to Real Madrid, I'm not quite sure why they would return that interest. I strongly doubt that he will go to City and/or PSG, because he's openly said that the only club he would leave BVB for is Real Madrid, and it wouldn't make much sense for him to restart his career elsewhere only to go to Real Madrid in a couple years.
I think that he will stay in Dortmund next season, and with all likelihood will go to Real Madrid the following year when, and if, Ronaldo is too old and if Morata doesn't work out.
Daniel Shulman:
This summer doesn't seem like the right time for Aubameyang to leave Dortmund. His contract extends through 2020, and with Kylian Mbappe and Alexandre Lacazette expected to move this summer, a lot of high-profile clubs will be putting their chips into the pot for those two.
The most likely scenario is for Auba to stay at least one more year at BVB before considering a move, at which point his value will increase and Dortmund will be able to survey the market and let its academy products, and Alexander Isak, develop and mature for a couple more years.
Alex Greenberg:
I think Aubameyang is staying, and I think he might even be staying for longer than a year. I could see him staying until 2020 and finishing out his contract with BVB. I could also see myself being horribly wrong.
On June 18th, Auba will turn 28-years-old. He’s not an old geezer yet, but he’s still nearing the end of the prime of his career. I believe him when he says he will only leave Dortmund for Madrid, and I’m not sure they’re interested in him. Sean brings up a good point about Ronaldo’s future possibly being at striker, and even if they wanted a second striker, I don’t think Auba would be their first choice.
I have no doubt he would go if they came calling, but I think BVB is his level right now. We’re one of the best 8 teams in the Champions League, with an incredibly promising young squad. Manchester City and Pep Guardiola are a wild card that could maybe have a shot of winning him over with tales of endless riches and Premier League glory. But again, I think he’s happy enough at Dortmund that he wouldn’t leave for a team that doesn’t play at the Bernabeu.
Have your say! Who do you think Aubameyang will be scoring goals for next season?