Arsenal target Dusan Vlahovic alternative and the latest on Pierre Emerick Aubameyang’s future

A pair of updates, one on Dusan Vlahovic and and another Pierre Emerick Aubameyang have surfaced courtesy of the reliable David Ornstein.

Aubameyang has been exiled from the squad since November for a disciplinary breach, and has since been and returned from AFCON duty with Gabon.

However, there seems to be no plans to reintegrate the 32 year old forward any time soon.

“We will see what the situation is”, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta revealed, when asked whether the Gabon star would accompany the rest of the squad to Dubai for the winter break.

And 101 covered a previous bid made by Saudi side Al Nassr, which involved a loan move with an obligation to buy.

But as per Ornstein, this move is unlikely to materialise:

‘The Athletic understands that Aubameyang is inclined not to accept a transfer to the Middle East at this stage of his career.

If the 32-year-old is to leave Arsenal, with whom he is under contract until the summer of 2023, it is believed that he would want to stay in a top league and continue to operate at the highest level.’

Another striker in?

Arsenal’s 0-0 draw with bottom of the League made if 3 games without a goal for the Gunners, and once more underlined their need for another striker.

I’m fuming pic.twitter.com/7CEDNvbY5v

— Renato (@rehnato) January 23, 2022

That man now seems unlikely to be Dusan Vlahovic, who has been chased for much of the transfer window by the Gunners. However, David Ornstein reports:

‘There are doubts about whether the pursuit of Dusan Vlahovic will succeed — not in relation to an agreement with Fiorentina, rather with the forward and his representatives’

One alternative is Alexandre Isak, a 22 year old Swedish forward currently playing for Real Sociedad. Isak has struggled for goals this campaign with just 4 in 18 games, but netted 17 times in the previous season, and is seen as another future prospect.

🔴 If Aubameyang exits Arsenal, inclined to reject Saudi for Europe
🔴 32yo training away from squad – unlikely to join Dubai trip
🔴 Wilshere travelling but not in line for #AFC deal
🔴 Vlahovic doubtful but Isak among options being pursued@TheAthleticUKhttps://t.co/vota2QFgiV

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) January 24, 2022

And while he has a release clause, Arsenal would be keen to negotiate a lower price with Sociedad if possible, only triggering the mammoth amount as a last resort.

Whether it be Isak, Vlahovic or someone else, it is clear that the Gunners need a striker desperately.

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