Barcelona, at the start of the 2022/23 season, had a plethora of forwards at their disposal, most of whom who could play multiple positions across the frontline with ease, acting as each other’s deputies through injury and rotation.
Robert Lewandowski was the first-choice striker for Xavi after completing his €55 million move from Bayern Munich, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang expected to be his backup. Memphis Depay was also in the team, providing cover at both, left-wing and centre-forward.
Eventually, though, Aubameyang left to join Chelsea in the summer, while Atletico Madrid came calling for Memphis in the winter. With both players gone for the second half of the season, Lewa was the only natural no. 9 in Barça’s squad.
Now, Barcelona are in the market looking to sign a backup for Lewandowski and had multiple names on their table as options, including Aubameyang himself, who was hoping to return to the Camp Nou.
However, Barcelona have ruled out his signing in the summer, as reported by Mundo Deportivo. The Gabonese striker will likely not join the Catalans, and has a huge offer from Saudi Arabia for his services.
Four Saudi Arabia clubs are interested in his signature, among other suitors, but Barcelona believe that he does not fit into the salary budget plans they have designed for next season.
Inter Milan, AC Milan, Galatasaray, and Fenerbahce are also keeping tabs on his situation at Chelsea, where he was almost completely out of favour under Graham Potter and then Frank Lampard.
Arsenal are also interested in re-signing him, curiously enough, according to the report.
