Xavi Hernandez does not want to lose star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with Chelsea reportedly pushing to complete his signing this summer.
According to a report by Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a top target for Chelsea in the ongoing transfer window. The Blues are pushing to sign the Barcelona striker in the coming days, but Xavi Hernandez does not want to lose the star striker anytime soon.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has made an immediate impact since joining Barcelona in a free transfer earlier this year. The 33-year-old did well to show Arsenal what they missed in the second half of the season, as he finished the campaign as Barcelona’s joint top scorer despite playing only 23 games.
But the summer transfer window has brought about uncertainties surrounding Aubameyang’s long-term future at Camp Nou. With Robert Lewandowski now at Xavi Hernandez’s disposal, the former Arsenal captain will fall down the pecking order, with recent reports claiming Barcelona wanted to discuss his future with him. And his situation has captured the attention of Chelsea.
The Blues are yet to bring in a like-for-like replacement for Romelu Lukaku since sending the Belgian striker on loan to Inter Milan. Timo Werner has also left Chelsea to rejoin a former club, returning to RB Leipzig on a permanent deal. That has left Thomas Tuchel with Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterling as the only options to spearhead the Chelsea attack.
Aubameyang has thus emerged as a viable target for Chelsea, with Tuchel keen on reuniting with the Gabonese striker at Stamford Bridge. And according to Mundo Deportivo, Chelsea will push hard to sign the veteran striker from Barcelona in the coming days.
But the report adds that Xavi Hernandez does not want to lose his star striker in the ongoing transfer window. The Barcelona manager is counting on the 33-year-old ahead of a gruelling season and will urge the Blaugrana to not sell the attacker amid interest from Chelsea.
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But with Chelsea preparing an offer to sign the former Arsenal striker, it will be interesting to see which way the pendulum swings. Aubameyang reportedly wants to remain at Camp Nou and will likely continue as a Barcelona player beyond the summer if he and Xavi get their wishes.
