French giants Marseille are reportedly in talks with Chelsea for their out-of-favour striker Pierre Emerick Aubameyang.
That’s according to Simon Johnson of The Athletic, who claims the Gabonese forward is interested in a move back to France but the deal is stalling at the moment due to the projected cost of the signing.
When the striker joined Chelsea last summer, he was handed a £160,000-aweek contract, according to the same report.
So, there may need to be a compromise on the wages – this could involve Aubameyang taking a pay cut to facilitate the move to France.
Aubameyang has been poor since his move to Chelsea.
The 34-year-old was perhaps unfortunate to join Chelsea when he did, as Thomas Tuchel, the manager who brought him to Stamford Bridge, was sacked soon after the former Arsenal striker made the move to the Blues.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could soon leave Chelsea
The same report from The Athletic stresses that the deal between Chelsea and Marseille is a delicate one.
Chelsea would seek a transfer fee for the striker, despite the wages that he is currently earning. So a deal to take Aubameyang to France, as things stand, may be difficult to achieve.
The forward has been left out of Chelsea’s pre-season squad for the USA tour, and has also had his return date for training pushed back on three separate occasions, according to The Athletic, which probably tells you the feeling towards the former Barcelona man.
Aubameyang has just one goal for Chelsea in the Premier League and a further two in the UEFA Champions League, so his departure from the Blues wouldn’t create a big hole in the team.
What will be clear if Aubameyang and indeed Romelu Lukaku, who could reportedly be about to join Juventus, leave the club, then Chelsea will need a replacement for the pair.
Dusan Vlahovic has previously been linked to Chelsea, but it seems PSG are stealing a march and advancing with Juventus on the deal, according to TuttoMercatoWeb.
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