Transfer Talk: Magpies and Barca lead race for Aubameyang

Barcelona and Newcastle are tipped as the two clubs most likely to acquire Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Arsenal.

The 32-year-old forward, currently at the Africa Cup of Nations with Gabon, has no future at the Emirates having been stripped of the captaincy last month.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is keen to offload the striker as soon as possible and the Daily Star report Barcelona is his favoured partner to get a deal done.

The Catalan giants are undergoing a period of transition under Xavi but have already added Ferran Torres to their ranks this window.

Should an agreement not be found, El Nacional say the LaLiga club will turn their attention to Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino.

Newcastle meanwhile are eager to win the race to capture Aubameyang’s signature and are willing to meet his hefty wage demands, but the North Londoners are not willing to see their unwanted marksman join a fellow Premier League club.

Arsenal themselves have made an approach to sign Diego Costa on a temporary deal, according to Goal.

The ex-Chelsea man is seen as a short-term option, before landing Dusan Vlahovic as a marquee transfer this summer.

In other news

Chelsea must match Frenkie de Jong’s £50million price tag if they are to purchase the 24-year-old midfielder.

El Nacional say the European champions have seen an initial approach rebuffed, with Bayern Munich also in the running to capture the Dutch star.

The Blues may have more success bringing Ivan Perisic to Stamford Bridge. The Mirror believe Thomas Tuchel sees the Croatian as a versatile option to cover for their current injury woes.

Newcastle and West Ham are the two clubs at the front of the queue to take Jesse Lingard from Manchester United.

The Daily Star believe the Magpies are likely to table the biggest bid, but the Hammers are hopeful Lingard’s successful spell at the London Stadium last season will help convince the midfielder to move back.

Finally, El Nacional say Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain have joined Liverpool in the race to sign Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips.