Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sends message to Erling Haaland over Barcelona transfer

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has suggested he would welcome the chance to battle it out with Erling Haaland for a Barcelona starting spot if the Norwegian ends up joining him at Camp Nou.

The former Arsenal striker has wasted little time making an impact at his new club, scoring a hat-trick against Valencia in his first La Liga start, after his deflection on Pedri's shot was eventually given as an Aubameyang goal.

Aubameyang arrived on a free on February 2, with fellow forward Ferran Torres having joined at the start of the January transfer window, but this hasn't stopped talk of a Barcelona move for Haaland gathering pace.

The Norway striker is expected to leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of the current campaign, with Barca just one of a number of clubs linked, and Aubameyang isn't worried about the extra competition.

"[I'm] always prepared for healthy competition... so it would be an honor to play with him if he ends up joining Barça," Aubameyang told Sport.

"He scores a lot of goals, he has a very good physique and a lot of speed. It's very rare, because he's very big, but he runs a lot. It's incredible," the Gabon forward continued.

"For his age, he is already one of the best in the world."

"He does well when he has space," Barcelona manager Xavi said after Aubameyang opened his account for the club.

"He is mature, intelligent, humble and positive. I am delighted with him."

The former Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund man had gone two full months without playing by the time he made his Barca debut against Atletico Madrid, having been dropped by Arsenal and missed out on his country's Africa Cup of Nations campaign after a positive Covid test.

Barcelona are one of a number of clubs believed to be in the mix for