Arsenal on Alert as Gabon Striker Reveals Summer Plans

AS St Etienne striker Pierre Emerick Aubameyang has hinted he may leave the Ligue 1 club in the summer. The Gabon international has been linked with moves to a number of Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea but claims he wants to play for nine-time European champions Real Madrid.

"I cannot fail with my decision, whatever I decide to do will not be a mistake. The reflection will be long and I want to negotiate with the club that offers the best for me in every way. My dream is to one day play for Real Madrid," he told France 24.

Aubameyang has had a good season so far, scoring 19 goals and creating nine more in 34 Ligue 1 starts. His goals have pushed the club to sixth in the league and they remain in contention for a UEFA Europa League spot, or possibly even a Champions League spot, next season.

The Gabonese has a contract that runs through to 2016 but could be available for roughly £13m. Arsenal, Spurs and even Liverpool could be interested in Aubameyang.

Arsene Wenger has already been linked to Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain but is believed to want two new strikers and has run into trouble in the deal to sign Fiorentina's Stevan Jovetic.

Andre Villas-Boas is likely to have to invest in a new striker in the summer, given he has only 30-year-old England international Jermain Defoe and the mercurial Togolese Emmanuel Adebayor. And Brendan Rodgers has confirmed he will add "one or two" attacking players to the Anfield squad, although it is unclear if he has targeted Aubameyang.

Wenger on Newcastle Match

Meanwhile, Wenger has dismissed concerns that playing the final game of the season away from home could affect the result. The Gunners travel to St James' Park on Sunday, with Champions League qualification firmly in their hands. All they need to do is match Spurs' result; they face Sunderland at White Hart Lane.

"I don't know [if that could be an advantage]. In every single game until the end, for a long time now, we are in a position where we absolutely want the three points. Sometimes when you want it absolutely it takes some creativity away from your team. It is part of being a top-level player, to deal with that," he told www.arsenal.com.