Arsenal skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang said he promised his late grandad he would one day play for Real Madrid.
Aubameyang has been linked with a move away from Arsenal and has been attracting interest from some of Europe’s top club’s.
Speaking in 2016, Aubameyang – then with Borussia Dortmund – revealed the vow he made and that his signature acrobatic celebration was copied from Madrid legend Hugo Sanchez.
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The 30-year-old said: “Before he died two years ago I promised him that one day I would play for Real Madrid.
“My grandfather was from Avila, not far from Madrid. It’s what I said to him.
“I know it’s not easy but it’s something I keep in mind.
“I celebrate my goals with a cartwheel in honour of Hugo Sanchez.
“I’ve seen many videos of him on the internet and I’ve been following him since I was a boy.”
Aubameyang left Dortmund for Arsenal in January 2018, scoring 49 Premier League goals in 75 appearances, including 17 this season.
His contract expires in 2021 and the Gunners are desperate not to lose another valuable asset for free following Aaron Ramsey’s departure to Juventus.
A £30million offer is expected to be enough to convince the Emirates club to sell.
And reports suggest that Zinedine Zidane wants to land the Gabonese star.
However, it is thought Madrid want a deal arranged by June 15 or they will look elsewhere for a new striker.
Chelsea, Manchester United, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid have also been linked with moves for the former Saint-Etienne man.
But there is also interest from Madrid’s rivals Barcelona, who were tempted by a move in January.
Aubameyang hinted he would be willing to join another Spanish side, giving Barca a boost.
He added: “To play for Madrid or for another great club in LaLiga would be a nice gift to my mother, Margarita, who is Spanish.”
But mum Margarita Crespo added later in 2016 that her family are Mad about Real – and not the Nou Camp club.
She said: “He promised his grandfather that he would play for Real Madrid and since he was a little boy he spoke about Madrid and never about Barcelona.
“My family have always been Real Madrid and I would like to see him in white.
“A move to Madrid would be lovely but at the moment he is doing well at Dortmund and we will have to see what happens.”
