Fabrizio Romano has reported on his YouTube channel that Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal wanted to send Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Juventus so that they could bring Alvaro Morata to the Emirates stadium.
The well-known and well-respected journalist has claimed that in the final week of the January transfer window, Arsenal were trying to offload Aubameyang to Juventus before the Bianconeri signed Dusan Vlahovic from Fiorentina.
The Gunners’ plan was for Juventus to sign the Gabon international striker so that they could bring former Chelsea player Morata to the Emirates Stadium.
Spanish striker Morata is on loan at Juventus from Atletico Madrid at the moment.
Aubameyang joined Barcelona in the January transfer window on a free transfer after terminating his contract at Arsenal.
Failed Aubameyang – Morata swap
Romano said on his YouTube channel, as transcribed by TheBootRoom: “Aubameyang, he joined Barcelona from Arsenal, but I want to tell you something behind the scenes.
“In the final week of the transfer window, Arsenal were trying to push Aubameyang to Juventus before they signed Dusan Vlahovic.
“(Arsenal wanted) to do a swap deal – Aubameyang to Juventus and Arthur or Alvaro Morata to Arsenal.
“They were interested in a potential swap deal with Morata as a new striker or Arthur as a new midfielder.
“Both on loan, so no permanent deal. Aubameyang to Juventus and Morata or Arthur – not both of them, only one – to Arsenal.
“The answer was no. Why? Because Juventus decided to sign Vlahovic, but also because Barcelona also were trying for Morata and they received the same answer that Arsenal received for the Spanish striker.
“No from Atletico Madrid. Juventus were ready to open negotiations for Morata but (his parent club) said no because they didn’t want to accept any loan move again for (him).”
Arsenal the losers
In our view, Arsenal would have benefited had their planned Aubameyang – Morata swap gone through.
Now, of course, Arsenal have got Aubameyang’s wages off their books, but they have left themselves a striker short.
Morata is not exactly a prolific striker, but he is hugely experienced, having turned out for Real Madrid and Chelsea among other clubs in his career so far.
And, in our opinion, Morata would have been a decent option to have for Arteta.
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