Paul Merson believes Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang would be choosing greed over ambition if he was to join Manchester United this summer.
The Arsenal captain is out of contract at the Emirates Stadium in 2021 and the two parties are yet to come close to agreeing fresh terms, and clubs like United have been linked with a move.
The main sticking point for the Gabon international - who was linked with moves to Inter Milan and Barcelona in January - appears to be whether Arsenal will qualify for European football next season, with the club currently sitting ninth in the Premier League table.
Manchester United meanwhile look set for at least a spot in the Europa League and are still in contention to make next season's Champions League, but Merson does not believe that a move to Old Trafford would represent a step forward.
'I don't think you can say Aubameyang would be going for ambition if he went to Manchester United,' Merson told Sky Sports.
'He'd be going for the money because he's almost 31 and this would likely to be his last move.
'At the moment, you can't say you are going to go to Manchester United and get guaranteed trophies. You won't be able to guarantee United winning anything in the next two or three seasons. They are getting better but it's not ambitions, it's the money.
'If it was Manchester City or Liverpool, that would be different. You'd be thinking of course, he's ambitious and he wants to win things.
'I'm not saying United won't win things, but you can't assure me of it. I can assure you Man City or Liverpool will in the next few years.'
However, if Aubameyang does choose to follow in the footsteps of fellow forward Robin Van Persie - who left Arsenal for United in 2012 - Merson has no doubt that he would be a 'perfect fit' at Old Trafford.
'They [Manchester United] are crying out for someone who is going to score them 20 to 25 goals,' Merson added.
'And that's what Aubameyang can bring. Add a Grealish if they can get him and then you've got Bruno Fernandes as well playing in behind a striker, Manchester United will be a major force.'
Vezonic22
454
Same thing was said about Van Persie and he got himself a much desired medal.
jugnu88
403
I hate to admit it but I feel that this time he is making a little sense.. I mean the guy is 31 and will be 32 in this coming season.. Probably his last big transfer.. And if that is the case then united don't need him.. United should go for someone who can be part of our ambitions to get back on top.. Someone younger and hungrier and a player who is sort of a man utd fan 😈✌🏼
Abishek27
174
Obviously he is choosing greed over ambition. The same way RVP did. Choosing some silverware over absolutely nothing.
Andy_Mac
136
This statement from Merson is void of logic. As much as I hate Man Utd, we can't say that they're not ambitious. I don't think there's any player in the world who joins a club not for money. Of course, money is a big factor and Man Utd is one of the big clubs that can pay you well. Just because Man City and Liverpool are currently the dominant clubs doesn't mean that they'll stay in power forever. The tide can turn very quickly and for all you know Man Utd, Chelsea or even Arsenal can recover well while Liverpool and Man City could stumble.