Barcelona will reportedly look to recoup €30 million from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s sale this summer amid interest from Chelsea.
According to reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang remains a priority target for Chelsea in the ongoing transfer window. But the Blues need to fork out around €30 million to secure the services of the Barcelona striker, which is higher than their valuation of the veteran attacker.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has done well to rediscover his best form since joining Barcelona in a free transfer nearly six months ago. After falling down the stature at Arsenal and getting banished from the first-team squad by Mikel Arteta, the Gabonese striker had plummeted to rock bottom at the north London club.
But the 33-year-old finished the 2021/22 season as Barcelona’s joint top scorer despite playing only 23 games. However, Aubameyang’s stature has reduced at Camp Nou following the arrival of Polish striker Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich this summer. And amid uncertainties around his Barcelona future, he has emerged as a target for Chelsea.
The interest from Chelsea comes in the wake of Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner’s departures this summer. While Werner has left Chelsea permanently, Lukaku has rejoined Inter Milan on loan but is unlikely to kick a ball again for the Blues. And the duo’s exit has compelled Thomas Tuchel to ask for a new striker.
Barcelona have asked around €30m fee for Pierre Aubameyang during the weekend, Chelsea wanted to spend way less than this. Talks continue, as Marcos Alonso is still part of the conversations. ?? #FCB
Tuchel, pushing for Aubameyang as priority… but Xavi insists to keep him. pic.twitter.com/066j4Ixx7h
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 15, 2022
Tuchel’s current options to spearhead the Chelsea attack are Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterling. With neither being a recognised striker, the Blues desperately need to bring in a new centre forward, bringing Aubameyang into the picture. Recent reports have also claimed that the west Londoners have been preparing an offer to sign the Barcelona striker.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona will demand around €30 million to part ways with the veteran striker. But the asking price is higher than Chelsea’s valuation of Aubameyang, and the Blues will likely look to reduce the price tag in their negotiations with Barcelona.
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But even if Chelsea had been ready to fork out €30 million to sign Aubameyang, securing his services might have been a different task altogether, with Xavi Hernandez uninterested in losing him. Aubameyang does not want to leave Barcelona either, and a move to Chelsea might not see the light of day.
