This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Manchester United turned down the chance to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
What’s the word?
The Gabon international signed for Arsenal back in January 2018 for a fee in the region of £56m, after it was suggested he wanted to leave Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund.
Ornstein claims that despite recognising the striker’s intentions on departing Germany, the Red Devils decided against making a move for him. It is claimed the United hierarchy had concerns over his age – he was 28 at the time – and whether there was any significant value in shelling out £56m.
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It is also suggested former boss Jose Mourinho had been sceptical about Aubameyang’s ability to lead the line as a lone striker, and that he was not particularly strong enough with his back to goal.
The right decision
Make no mistake about it, the 30-year-old’s goal-record is unparalleled, certainly when it comes to some of the forwards United currently have at their disposal. In 77 games for rivals Arsenal, he has scored 49 times, whilst as per Transfermarkt, he has an unbelievable ratio of 173 goals in 266 games in the number nine role.
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But, quite crucially, there would have been an element of whether he fits this current approach United are going for under Solskjaer. Now, the Red Devils are seemingly intent on signing young, exciting players with a lot of potential to grow, and are prioritising a game-plan that focuses on pressing from the front.
Aubameyang arguably fits none of that remit. And just like Romelu Lukaku, no matter how proven of a goal-scorer he is, if he doesn’t suit the team’s current needs and desires, there simply wouldn’t be a point in having him.
Solskjaer is admirably trying to refresh the United squad with players who are young and hungry for success. Signing Aubameyang would simply have killed off any hopes of the likes of Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood establishing themselves as the club’s first-choice centre-forwards. So whilst the 30-year-old may be firing in the goals in north London, United shouldn’t feel too regretful on missing out.