The four players tipped to take over from Aubameyang at Arsenal

Arsenal could have a huge hole to fill up front this summer if Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaves the club, with four players tipped to replace him.

Latest rumours suggest that the Gunners will not be able to afford the striker’s increased wages to extend his deal and the he will almost certainly move on at the end of the current campaign.

Aubameyang will enter the final 12 months of his contract this summer, and the club’s hierarchy would sooner fetch a decent fee for him rather than lose the 30-year-old for nothing in 2021.

Mikel Arteta insists he still wants the forward to stay but talks with Arsenal will need to improve significantly for that to happen.

“We will have to do that at some stage before the end of the season for sure and we will see the intentions that we have [and] his intentions,” Arteta said.

“Where we are sitting in [the table at] that moment. I think it is difficult to predict that context right now. For me it is very easy. I want to keep him under any circumstances.”

Aubameyang has scored 17 Premier League goals for the season and is currently joint leader in the Golden Boot race with Jamie Vardy and one ahead of Sergio Aguero.

While the Gunners also have Alexandre Lacazette, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah on their books, they are still likely look to sign a replacement if Aubameyang leaves.

 

 

And the Daily Express has listed the candidates who could replace him:

Jonathan David

The Canada striker has emerged as an option after scoring 18 goals in 26 league games for Belgian side Gent.

The 20-year-old however would represent a risk coming direct from Belgium, but at £17.5m he might be one worth taking.

Wilfried Zaha

Arsenal were keen on Zaha last summer but failed to convince his club Crystal Palace to sell.

And while not a direct replacement for Aubamayeng he could feature on the wing and allow Lacazette to play more through the middle.

Moussa Dembele

Manchester United are known to be keen on Dembele, but Arsenal could pounce of their dithering and get a deal done for the former Celtic man.

Dembele has shone at Lyon after his prolific spell in Scotland, but is also on Chelsea’a radar and the Gunners could have a major fight to sign the 23-year-old.

Thomas Lemar

Arsenal were linked with Lemar in January after his troubles at Atletico Madrid and could go back in for him in the summer.

Another wide player but it would give Arteta plenty of options to rotate his forward line.