Barcelona sporting director Eric Abidal has confirmed that the La Liga side are weighing up a move for Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the end of the season.

The Catalan club are looking for a possible replacement for Luis Suarez and Abidal admitted that they even contemplated making a bid for the Gunners star in January, along with a number of other strikers:

“I know him (Aubameyang). He has a profile that has depth. He is important, and in his team he is decisive. It is good to bring this profile of player who can be in the market and can help you. We’ll see what will happen.”

“There is a list with players like [Olivier] Giroud, [Fernando] Llorente or Aubameyang, but for one thing or another, we decided not to sign [someone in January]. We believe it is best for the club.”

Aubameyang has 17 months left on his contract at Arsenal, and there has been no sign so far that he will sign an extension to his current deal. In the summer, the Gunners may have a difficult decision to make on their talisman’s future.

By July, 30-year-old will be within the last year of his contract at the Emirates and the London club would have to consider cashing in or letting him leave for nothing at the end of the next campaign.

Aubameyang is a key player for head coach Mikel Arteta, with the Gabonese international having scored 16 goals in 27 appearances this season.