Why Barca turned down Aubameyang in the summer

Jack Ottman 6 years ago 2.3k
Barca couldn't see Aubameyang fitting into their team. EFE/EPA

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was reportedly offered to Barcelona after Neymar's departure, but the Catalan giants decided not to sign the Gabonese striker because they couldn't see him working alongside Luis Suarez.

According to Spanish publication 'Mundo Deportivo', Barcelona had a number of names on their shortlist on top of Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho, in order to strengthen their squad last summer.

Neymar's move to PSG caused a footballing earthquake which didn't just affect the club from Catalonia. The need to replace the Brazilian star lead to a whole wave of speculation and offers, like that of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Although there is no doubting the quality of the 28-year-old striker, the powers that be at Barcelona opted to sign Dembele and rejected the chance to sign the Gabon international because they didn't think he would be compatible with their number one striker, Luis Suarez, and they couldn't see where he would fit in to the team.

Mentioned in the news story

Luis Suárez
P. Aubameyang
Barcelona
B. Dortmund
Bundesliga