Arsenal to be offered chance to sign Spanish star in exchange for Aubameyang: report

Arsenal could reportedly be offered the chance to sign midfielder Dani Ceballos on a permanent basis from Real Madrid, should they allow Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to head in the opposite direction.

Aubameyang has been the standout performer in the Gunners’ attack over the past couple of years and he has registered 61 goals in less than 100 appearances in all competitions.

The forward has recently stated that he is ‘really happy‘ with his position at the club but his reluctance to sign a new contract has led to doubts whether he would remain at the Emirates beyond the next transfer window.

According to Spanish outlet Diario Madridista, the Gunners have already made contact with Los Blancos regarding the possible sale of Aubameyang during the summer.

While Zinedine Zidane’s side don’t consider Aubameyang as a priority, the report suggests that the club could move for the forward, considering the complexity of luring either Harry Kane or Erling Haaland to the Bernabeu.

Aubameyang is currently valued at around £50m by the Gunners but it is claimed that Los Blancos may seek to reduce the price significantly by offering Ceballos as a makeweight.

The 30-year-old regularly talked up the prospect of joining Los Blancos during his time at Borussia Dortmund and it won’t come as a surprise, if he is tempted to make the switch to the Spanish capital.

The Gunners have been dependent on Aubameyang for nearly 45 percent of the goals in the current season and he has shown no signs of slowing down despite approaching his 31st birthday.

Still, the club can’t afford to keep Aubameyang for the final year of his contract, given they could face the prospect of losing him on the cheap over the winter period or for nothing at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, Ceballos has had a mixed campaign with the Gunners on loan but he was able to command a regular starting role under Mikel Arteta prior to the shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It has previously been reported that the midfielder could be available for around £36m and that is definitely an affordable package with the inflated prices in the transfer market nowadays.

In an ideal situation, Arteta may want to keep hold of both players but signing Ceballos in a part-exchange deal for Aubameyang would prove a good piece of business for the club.