Chelsea need to sell Diego Costa before signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang so does this give Liverpool the edge in signing the Borussia Dortmund striker?
The two Premier League clubs have made contact with Dortmund over a move for the forward – who is valued at around £65m by the German outfit.
Benfica’s Ederson saves from Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
The Reds are reluctant to pay that much for Aubameyang, or to meet the 28-year-old’s £180,000-a-week wage demands, but they may still hold all the cards in negotiations.
That is because the Blues need to resolve the future of Diego Costa before they make any move for a replacement, with Costa having been told by manager Antonio Conte that he is surplus to requirements, and yet he remains at Stamford Bridge.
The Spaniard’s most likely destination of Atletico Madrid, despite being keen on re-signing the 28-year-old, are struggling to sign him as they have a transfer ban until January – as reports the Independent.
This leaves the West Londoners in a difficult situation when it comes to Aubameyang. Their Merseyside rivals, however, have the advantage of Dortmund telling the Gabon international he needs to leave by the time they leave for a pre-season tour of Switzerland on July 24, or stay put at the Westfalenstadion.
This could help in terms of Aubameyang lowering his wage demands, but with three years left on his current contract, the Black and Yellows may be less willing to lower their asking price.
Chelsea’s Diego Costa
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