Chelsea are looking to sell Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this summer amid interest at Aston Villa. But the striker expects to receive transfer offers from Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.
That is according to the Evening Standard, which reports Aubameyang is one of the several players Chelsea want to sell. The Stamford Bridge natives have now compiled a lengthy list of stars who are free to leave west London to help raise funds for yet further new arrivals.
Todd Boehly and the Blues hierarchy do not plan to reduce their lavish spending sprees in future windows. But with Champions League TV money possibly out of the question, they must clear some of the excess from Graham Potter’s side to overcome any likely shortfall.
Aubameyang will be one player whom Chelsea try to offload just one year after his arrival in west London. The Blues paid Barcelona £12m to sign the Gabon forward whilst Thomas Tuchel remained at the helm. But the 33-year-old has failed to justify the German’s move.
He has scored just one goal through 11 Premier League appearances so far this season and only started in four games. Aubameyang further only has three goals and one assist after 17 appearances across all competitions. The striker struck twice in six Champions League ties.
Emery wants Aubameyang at Aston Villa but the Chelsea ace wants another transfer
Yet despite his dire form for Chelsea, Aubameyang expects Atletico Madrid and Barcelona to target his transfer in the summer. He nearly returned to Camp Nou during January, too. But RFEF rules would not let the Blaugrana re-register him in the same campaign, via Goal.
Aubameyang featured in one La Liga match for Barcelona before his transfer to Chelsea in September on a two-year contract. The fixture took the 73-cap attacker to 24 outings with 13 goals and an assist in all competitions for the Catalan team after his arrival last January.
Barcelona could reconsider his return this summer but they might have to rival Aston Villa for Aubameyang’s transfer from Chelsea. The Athletic reports that Unai Emery is tracking his situation at Stamford Bridge. He is fond of the striker from their time together at Arsenal.
Emery may now be open to Aston Villa securing a transfer with Chelsea for Aubameyang in the summer. He scored 41 goals in 67 games under the Spaniard before the Gunners hired Mikel Arteta, who still called him ‘exceptional’ despite releasing the attacker last January.
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