Chelsea have reportedly opened talks with Barcelona as they are interested in signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang before the transfer window closes.
Chelsea and Barcelona are reportedly in talks over a potential Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang deal before the transfer season ends. Although former Manchester City star Raheem Sterling is already signed by Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel is anxious to bolster his attack lineup in the wake of Romelu Lukaku's departure.
Chelsea spotted Aubameyang, who only joined Barcelona in February from Arsenal, as a potential new striker and approached Barcelona to start talks, claims transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
Also read: Revealed: How Barcelona beat Chelsea to sign Jules Kounde from Sevilla
Chelsea are now considering Pierre Emerick Aubameyang as potential new striker. Discussions have already started on player side, still no bid to Barcelona. 🚨🔵
He’s one of the names in Chelsea list after meeting for Sesko and other targets. pic.twitter.com/hvsqIGpYMJ
Todd Boehly, the new owner of Chelsea, reportedly spoke with the leaders of Barcelona early this summer about potential transfers. The Blues have not yet submitted a formal bid for the former captain of Arsenal. However, Tuchel has a close relationship with the Gabonese superstar from their time at Dortmund and Chelsea could try to use that to their advantage.
In order to give Tuchel everything he requests, including a left back, right back, centre back, midfielder, and forward, Boehly will work to have a transaction approved.
Boehly has not had as much success as he would have liked during the summer transfer window so far. This summer, he found it difficult to advance in his discussions with Premier League clubs, and as a result, he missed out on a number of high-profile players after Petr Cech and Marina Granovskaia left because they brought greater financial foresight and market expertise to the table.
After Boehly failed to sign Robert Lewandowski, Chelsea decided to turn to Aubameyang. Instead of joining Tuchel's team, the former Bayern Munich striker chose to sign a 42.5 million-pound agreement with Barcelona.
Also read: 'Not a gambler': Barcelona President Laporta slams critics over transfer market claims
Given that he has 68 goals in 128 Premier League games, Aubameyang might be considered a worthwhile choice. Additionally, he won the Golden Boot in the 2018–19 season, sharing it with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane of Liverpool.
Aubameyang's stint in the English Premier League, however, did not go well since Mikel Arteta forced him to leave the Arsenal team. Three months had passed since the striker last appeared for the Gunners, and Arteta had stripped him of the captaincy when he left the club in February 2022.
The 33-year-old made 163 appearances for Arsenal and scored 92 goals, but his tenure with the team was also marked by disciplinary issues. The club 'reminded of his responsibilities' after the Gabonese international broke COVID-19 regulations by getting a tattoo. Additionally, he frequently arrived late for practise and was sent to the bench as a result.
Mesut Ozil and Matteo Guendouzi were two more Arsenal players who experienced Arteta's rejection before Aubameyang. Even yet, Aubameyang was able to reinvent himself in Barcelona, scoring 13 goals across all competitions to help his new team qualify for the Champions League.
Also read: Would like for Lionel Messi to retire at Barcelona, says club President Joan Laporta
Latest reports add that Aubameyang has NO intention of leaving the La Liga giants. Furthermore, Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez is counting on him for his project. The Spaniard considers that, together with Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona has two of the most powerful '9' in Europe.
Here's a look at how football enthusiasts reactions to Aubameyang's possible move to Chelsea after just six months with the Catalan giants:
Aubameyang if he scores against Arsenal for Chelsea pic.twitter.com/ueovaFkzYL
— Asad🇵🇸 (@asxd_98)Tuchel said no to Ronaldo but yes to Aubameyang pic.twitter.com/nZZWm09q52
— Raf (@CFCRaf2)“I think that he (Aubameyang) was a very important player for me, we had a very close relationship.
When we meet it is still always very nice. I can only say the best things about Auba as a player and person.”
- Thomas Tuchel in 2021 pic.twitter.com/zQhWXwNIrj
The last time we signed a striker who played for Arsenal, he turned out pretty good… Aubameyang🤔 pic.twitter.com/gBgkpqf5CA
— Dubois (@CFCDUBois)Chelsea are allover the place. From Vardy, to Depay and now Aubameyang. That club is never recovering from the end of Roman era.
— WelBeast (@WelBeast)Chelsea 'open talks over a shock swoop for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang', with Barcelona looking to sell veteran forward, who worked with Thomas Tuchel at Dortmund, just six months after signing him so they can register new arrivals. pic.twitter.com/0pN6IuibKE
— Frank Khalid (@FrankKhalidUK)🚨🎖| A source very close to Aubameyang confirmed that the player is not thinking of leaving Barca and Xavi also wants him to continue. [] pic.twitter.com/IYwhjGHYii
— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes)I swear Todd Boehly bought Chelsea and thought it was career mode because where tf has Aubameyang come from?? 😭😭
— ¹⁰ (@SxrgioSZN)Aubameyang to Chelsea will be mad o.
Arsenal fans on trouble
Subject of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang broached during informal discussions between Chelsea & Barcelona. His contract runs until 2025 - break clause next summer. Aubameyang has great relationship with Thomas Tuchel - prolific under him at Borussia Dortmund.
— Dharmesh Sheth (@skysports_sheth)Aubameyang could take Chelsea's option though as Lewandowski is top priority for Barcelona now with that fee.
Chelsea need a striker & he will be a good fit short term.
Xavi declares Aubameyang non-transferrable. The coach does not want the striker to leave and his departure will not be negotiated. He considers that Auba performed at an exceptional level. Auba became the top scorer in the last six months of La Liga after arriving in the January pic.twitter.com/8DajCDh0na
— The Football Index 🎙 ⚽ (@TheFootballInd)It's right that there is some interest from Chelsea in Aubameyang (the mystery forward I alluded to on London Is Blue) but no more than that at this stage. I understand Aubameyang would be interested in Chelsea too. Now for my day off
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT)There is no way Aubameyang is joining Chelsea😭😭 we are literally tattooed on his arm pic.twitter.com/tjvgixwsWa
— J͛a͛k͛e͛ 🌶 (@AFCJake2)