Aubameyang has been linked with Real Madrid
Hot: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Real Madrid
The Gabon superstar signed a new deal at Arsenal only recently, ending rumours about his future in North London and ensuring that Mikel Arteta was able to start establishing himself at his new club without an ongoing transfer saga.
Six months down the line, however, and the landscape is beginning to look different; the Gunners will be wary that they can lose the striker for free next summer, while Aubameyang, 31 next June, knows that opportunities to win the big honours are at a premium.
The player has flirted with Real in the past, and if Florentino Perez wants a guarantee of goals as Karim Benzema ages, he can’t do much better.
Not: Sadio Mane to Real Madrid
Perhaps Real Madrid does give players a greater prominence than those at other clubs—giving them the best opportunity to win the individual honours—and it’s understandable that Los Merengues might be interested in the Liverpool superstar.
However, Mane still has three years left on his deal at Anfield and is playing some of the best football of his career.
Alongside Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, he has a perfect environment in which to thrive on Merseyside, and can wait a season or two before he thinks about a fresh challenge away from Anfield.
Hot: Andre Onana to Chelsea
As one of the finest young goalkeepers in Europe, it’s easy to understand why some of the world’s biggest clubs are keen on Onana.
Paris Saint-Germain may we a good fit for the stopper, but Chelsea may be best placed to get their hands on the Cameroon international.
The Mirror have reported that the Dutch giants are open to cashing in on Onana, and the Blues have demonstrated this season that they have a pressing need for new blood between the sticks.
Willy Caballero is no long-term solution, while Kepa appears to have proved that doesn’t have the faith of Frank Lampard.
Chelsea have already done business with Ajax this year in recruiting Hakim Ziyech, and don’t be surprised if Onana follows him to Stamford Bridge.
Not: Ola Aina returning to the Premier League
One day, Aina will likely come back to the Prem, but rumours of an imminent return to England appear wide of the mark.
The full-back only just signed permanently with Torino last summer following a campaign on loan, and he needs a measure of stability in order to realise his potential.
He’s been linked with West Ham United—who may not even be in the Premier League next season—while Everton already have Djibril Sidibe and Lucas Digne in full-back roles, two of the more competent wide defenders in the division.
Perhaps Aina could be a versatile back-up option at Goodison Park, or a replacement for ageing pair Seamus Coleman or Leighton Baines, but is that really a forward step?
Hot: Odion Ighalo staying permanent at Manchester United
In the past, clubs’ inability to match the remuneration Ighalo is receiving in China had all but closed off his transfer options, but the striker’s impact since arriving in Manchester United may change the landscape.
The hitman will reportedly need to take a £200,000-per-week pay cut in order to stay at Old Trafford, but having discussed openly his dream of playing for the club, it could prove to be a small price to pay in order to extend this fairytale move.
Despite being 30, Ighalo has netted four goals across four cup appearances this term, proving he can cut it at the club, and he can represent a relatively low cost option for the Red Devils, allowing them to focus on rebuilding other areas of their squad.
Not: Victor Osimhen to Manchester United
Longer term, Osimhen could well be an option for the Red Devils, but with only one season of Ligue 1 stardom under his belt, the best thing he could do is remain in France and iron out some of the rougher elements of his game.
13 goals in 25 starts is a decent return, but it’s not the kind of scoring levels that suggest the youngster would be an instant hit in England.
At 21, he has plenty of time on his hands to grow into the kind of player who could be a leading man in Manchester, and he must be wary---many more established players have lost their way after moving to Old Trafford.
