Arsenal: 3 reasons why Gunners should keep Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
2. What price can you get?
The primary positive in selling Aubameyang is the price. He is unlikely to be a part of Mikel Arteta’s rebuild, he will command a significant salary increase that will only further stretch the club’s wage bill, and the money a sale raises could be invaluable at other positions.
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However, while they are convincing arguments, in the real world, admissions must be made regarding the actual price that Aubameyang will fetch in the modern market, an issue that is only accentuated by the financial impacts of the coronavirus outbreak.
As Arsenal themselves are experiencing, football clubs around the world are feeling the financial squeeze. The days of nine-figure transfer fees are gone, for the time being, and the lavish spending sprees will be few and far between. Selling, then, becomes very difficult, especially when it is a near 31-year-old for a high-end price.
There comes a point where the Gunners are better off keeping Aubameyang and not the money. Yes, a £50-plus million sale could be huge, allowing significant investment at another position. But in the current market, what if Aubameyang only fetches £30 million? Suddenly, selling is not so attractive.