Paul Merson has advised Chelsea against a reported signing.
The Stamford Bridge outfit are in dire need of a striker before the summer transfer window shuts in a couple of weeks.
According to Sky Sports, Chelsea are ‘ready’ to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang if the Gabon international is allowed to leave Barcelona.
At 33, Aubameyang only quit Arsenal earlier in 2022 but despite impressing at Camp Nou, firing them into the Champions League last season, speculation is rife that he could be returning to London.
If it materialises, Aubameyang will be replacing Romelu Lukaku at Stamford Bridge, following the latter’s return to Inter Milan on loan earlier this summer.
However, Merson has told The Daily Star that Lukaku is a better option and that the Londoners should look for a younger model than the veteran marksman.
He said: “I don’t get their interest in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. He would be a panic buy. It’s very short-sighted going for a 33-year-old. You’re not looking at that as a Chelsea fan thinking: ‘That’s us set for years’ are you? Let’s face it, Romelu Lukaku is a better player than Aubameyang.”
It’s a big shout by Merson.
Yes, Aubameyang endured a difficult last 18 months in North London, looking a shadow of the striker who won a Golden Boot under Unai Emery and scored 32 times in his first full season.
Then again, his form in Spain, scoring a brilliant double away to European champions Real Madrid, illustrates that he remains absolutely lethal and even if it’s only a stop-gap, it could be exactly what Chelsea need until a more long-term option becomes available.
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