It has been reported that Arsenal had an opportunity to sign forward Mauro Icardi from Paris Saint Germain in a swap deal involving Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, who later joined Barcelona for free.

According to The Athletic, Arsenal refused to consider a potential swap deal involving then skipper Aubameyang and Mauro Icardi from PSG. 

A few European clubs were interested in acquiring Aubameyang’s signature, with Juventus and Barcelona leading the race.

With the Gabonese gone, Arsenal’s striker options have further shrunk, narrowing down to only two options in Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah, both out of contract come summer. 

The 28-year-old is struggling to find minutes under Pochettino since Lionel Messi’s signing, despite scoring 38 goals in 87 appearances for the Paris club.

Arteta’s men have struggled in front of goal of late, with Brazilian centre-back Gabriel Magalhães the only name on the scoresheet since the turn of the year. 

The Gunners would look to sign at least two strikers in the summer, should they fail to extend the contracts of both Lacazette and Nketiah. 

Whether not bringing in a replacement for Aubameyang in January would cost them a Champions League place remains to be seen.