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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Kieran King

Erik ten Hag's transfer stance on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as Man Utd search for striker

Manchester United have been linked with a shock swoop for former Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - but Erik ten Hag is in two minds about whether to sign the star.

The 33-year-old has scored 13 goals in 23 matches since joining Barcelona from the Gunners in January, but has since lost his place in the side following the arrival of Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich. The Catalan giants could therefore be looking to cash in on the Gabon international, despite signing him just seven months ago.

United are one of several teams to have expressed an interest in Aubameyang, but Ten Hag is reportedly not keen on signing him. That's according to The Athletic, who claim sources have downplayed the chances of moves for Aubameyang and fellow experienced marksman Mauro Icardi - two more players with impressive records over the course of their careers, but require excessive baggage.

Icardi has struggled for regular game time since making the switch to Paris Saint-Germain from Inter Milan in 2019, despite netting 38 goals in 92 appearances. He struck just five times last season, though, and was firmly behind Kylian Mbappe in the pecking order after Lionel Messi made the move from Barcelona.

He has since been linked with the Red Devils, but United are seemingly looking for someone with a younger profile, rather than the likes of Icardi and Aubameyang. Alvaro Morata has also been mentioned as another target, but he falls into the same bracket, with the Spaniard now 29 and on huge wages at Atletico Madrid. Jamie Vardy, meanwhile, was tipped with a sensational switch to United, but he is in talks over a new contract at Leicester.

Will Man Utd sign a striker before the transfer window slams shut? Let us know in the comments below!

Jamie Vardy scored 15 Premier League goals last season (Getty Images)

Darwin Nunez and Erling Haaland were both in the conversation at the start of the window, before the former joined Liverpool for a fee in the region of £85million and Haaland made the switch to Manchester City. Benjamin Sesko had emerged as a possible signing, but he has opted to join RB Leipzig from RB Salzburg.

With just under three weeks under the transfer window slams shut, Aubameyang has been named as a target, although he has also been heavily linked with Chelsea. Thomas Tuchel's side are also searching for a new forward, having allowed Romelu Lukaku to re-join Inter Milan on loan with an option to buy.

It is understood the veteran striker could be available for around £10million this month and Chelsea are prepared to make an offer for the player. Aubameyang struck 92 goals in 163 games for Arsenal during his four year spell at the Emirates Stadium.

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