With just 18 months remaining on his contract at Arsenal, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is inevitably being linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium.
While there is no concern over the Gabon international being short of offers, Barcelona currently appear to be the favourites for the versatile attacker.
The Catalan giants are in the process of assessing short and long-term replacements for Luis Suarez, who is sidelined until May and could leave Camp Nou in the summer.
Despite Aubameyang turning 31 years of age in June, Barcelona may feel that they are still able to get value for money, with the frontman having contributed 16 goals in all competitions this season.
However, with Quique Setien just two games into his reign, it is unclear how Aubameyang would fit into the plans of the newly-appointed boss.
Here, Sports Mole predicts how the player may line up in Barcelona's starting lineup.
© ReutersWhile Barcelona traditionally play with a back four, the arrival of Setien has led to a three-man defence being introduced, subsequently impacting the rest of the team.
With Lionel Messi a certain pick, it potentially leaves Setien having to choose between Aubameyang and Antoine Griezmann, who can play in each role across the forward line.
As a result of Messi being inclined to drop into wide and deep positions, Aubameyang would probably get the nod over Griezmann due to being more comfortable with playing on the shoulder of the last defender.
Such a mindset is less natural to the Frenchman, and the big-money signing from last summer would likely spend a significant amount of time among the replacements.
However, the World Cup winner could come back into the fold when Barcelona require less central midfielders, particularly in home matches against teams lower in the table.
Griezmann may take on the number 10 role, leaving Sergio Busquets to either drop out of the team or move further forward in place of Frenkie de Jong or Arturo Vidal.
The use of three centre-backs and two wing-backs is unlikely to change, although there may be occasions when Setien opts to use Busquets in the middle of his defence.
body check tags ::
