Why a Move to PSG Makes No Sense for Aubameyang

LISBON, PORTUGAL – OCTOBER 18: Pierre Aubameyang of Borussia Dortmund celebrates after scores a goal against SC Sporting during the UEFA Champions League match between SC Sporting and Borussia Dortmund at Estadio Jose Alvalade on October 18, 2016 in Lisbon, Lisboa. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images) /

Ever since Aubameyang let Dortmund know that he would like to leave over the summer, Paris Saint-Germain has been a front-running destination for the Dortmund striker.

Why? First, PSG has more money than half of the world’s population to spend on players. Second, PSG has been an elite side on the global stage and have been titans in Ligue 1 with the exception of this season.

However, there is a significant problem in a possible move to PSG for Aubameyang. Edinson Cavani.

Since Zlatan Ibrahimovic left the Parc de Princes last season in a jump to Old Trafford, Cavani has been the leading man at PSG. The 30-year old has proven that he is a capable striker for PSG, netting 35 goals in 35 Ligue 1 matches this season.

LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 23: Edinson Cavani of PSG heads towards goal during the UEFA Champions League Group A match between Arsenal FC and Paris Saint-Germain at the Emirates Stadium on November 23, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

With that productivity, it is hard to imagine why PSG would want to replace Cavani at striker. Plus, to add more to the dilemma, PSG resigned the Uruguayan through 2020 in April.

With all that said, PSG still wants to have Aubameyang on their roster next season. If they do get Aubameyang signed, there are three options they can take with him.

First, you can directly swap Aubameyang with Cavani. Second, you can play Aubameyang and Cavani together. Third, you can kick either Aubameyang or Cavani (though less likely) to the wing.

In reality, all three of those options are not attractive options.

In the past when PSG attempted to play with two strikers (Ibrahimovic and Cavani,) they struggled. When Aubameyang and Cavani have played out on the wing in the past, they struggled.

Additionally, if the PSG brass were to replace Cavani with Aubameyang, they would look incredibly foolish. Therefore, a straight swap is extremely unlikely.

But, for the sake of pursuing all possibilities, let’s say some of these outcomes happen. From the start, the first thing that would come to mind, that would ruin things, would be the players themselves.

MUNICH, GERMANY – APRIL 08: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Dortmund challenges Jerome Boateng of Bayern Muenchen during the Bundesliga match between Bayern Muenchen and Borussia Dortmund at Allianz Arena on April 8, 2017 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Scheuber/Getty Images Fuer MAN) /

Both Cavani and Aubameyang, due to their success in the middle, would not agree to move back out to the wing. With both strikers around their prime, neither wants to go back out on the wing. One that is more exertion of energy and two, there are less goal-scoring opportunities for, well, goalscorers.

If we put ourselves in the mind of Aubameyang, why would we want to go back out to the wing when you have had enormous amounts of success in the middle?

As for Cavani, why would he go back out to the wing? When Ibra was at PSG, Cavani went out on the side and didn’t reap the same benefits as he does now. To make an even stronger case, Cavani averaged a goal a game. Again, he averaged a goal a game.

Cavani has proven to be nothing less than clinical for PSG.

When looking at this situation in a broad perspective, a move to Paris does not make sense for Aubameyang. If the Gabon-international was to make a move, he might be put out on the wing. With that possibly being the case, the move shouldn’t be in the best interest of Aubameyang.

If it is a direct swap for Cavani, then that would be beneficial for the Golden Boot winner. However,

BARCELONA, SPAIN – MARCH 08: Edinson Cavani of PSG reacts as his shot hits the post during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain at Camp Nou on March 8, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

with all that Cavani provides at striker, a straight swap doesn’t seem likely. Again, Cavani also is now under contract through 2020.

Therefore, if Aubameyang is to go to PSG, he or Cavani would be on the wing again. Or, PSG once again will try to play with two strikers, something that hasn’t bode well for them in the past.

The probability of a move to PSG for Aubameyang is very likely. Despite that, the likelihood of success at PSG is not.

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