Aubameyang is Barcelona's Plan B as they look for a new forward

Barcelona have drawn up the list of signings they want to make this summer -- and the alternatives in case they fall through. The main objective is to sign a top-level forward to provide competition for Luis Suarez.

Inter's Lautaro Martinez is the top target but the second option, who is much more affordable and is well-liked by the coaching staff, is Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The option to sign Aubameyang emerged in January. Barça were looking for a striker after Suarez's injury and looked into the former Borussia Dortmund man. He was keen and tried to force a move but Arsenal would not let him leave. 

The Gunners did not want to negotiate mid-season but bases had been touched and a summer deal remained an option in the right conditions. 

Aubameyang will move into the final 12 months of his contract this summer and has rejected Arsenal's offer to renew. The Express suggested last week the Premier League side will sell him to avoid losing him for nothing. 

Barça are aware of that and the player remains keen to move to Camp Nou. 

The main problem with moving forward is that Barça prefer Lautaro, above all for his age. The club feel they are both top players but the Argentine has more years ahead of him. 

That said, Aubameyang's numbers have always impressed. He knows where the goal is. This season, for example, he has scored 20 goals in 32 games for a team that is struggling in the Premier League. 

Curiously, if Barça do manage to sign Lautaro, Aubameyang could end up at Inter. 

Aubameyang is valued at around 65 million euros, although his contractual situation would see that drop. He will be in demand this summer, though, and with Barça's focus elsewhere they will have to decide early if they don't want to miss out.