Liverpool and Chelsea are reportedly set to wage a transfer battle to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund this summer.
According to a report in The Sun, Liverpool have entered the race to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in this summer’s transfer window. Chelsea are also interested in signing the Borussia Dortmund striker, meaning a head-to-head battle seems to be setting up to secure the player’s services.
Aubameyang is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in the world, having blossomed into a prolific powerhouse since making the switch to Dortmund in the summer of 2013. The player has gone from strength to strength with each passing season and 2016/17 turned out to be the most productive season of his senior career.
Aubameyang hit the 40-goal mark in just 46 appearances for Dortmund last season. 31 of these goals came in the Bundesliga, which made him the top scorer in Bundesliga for the first.
His exploits have seen the player attract interest from some of the biggest clubs in the world, with widespread reports indicating that he is set to depart from Signal Iduna Park this summer. Chelsea and Liverpool, though are the front-runners in the race to sign Aubameyang.
#LFC could battle for the popular #Dortmand striker Aubameyang with #CFC
[Sun] pic.twitter.com/3GpM2wKRed— The Blue Lion (@TheBlueLion_) July 13, 2017
At Chelsea, Antonio Conte is desperate to sign a world class striker this summer with Diego Costa set to leave the club. Costa’s departure will leave the Italian manager with just Michy Batshuayi as his only recognised. The Belgian striker, though, is unlikely to be Conte’s first-choice.
The Chelsea boss had, thus, set his sights on Romelu Lukaku over a move back to Stamford Bridge. But, he has been forced to turn his attention elsewhere after Manchester United beat the Blues to the player’s signature. Therefore, Aubameyang has emerged as a priority target for Chelsea.
Meanwhile at Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp, too, is looking for an out and out striker, with the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi not being at the level he desires. While Roberto Firmino has been utilised in a ‘false nine’ role, the Brazilian often lacks the poaching instincts that a striker has.
Thus, Aubameyang has been identified as a viable target to pursue this summer. And the report suggests that Chelsea are at risk of losing out in another race for a top striker, with Liverpool in the lead.
The Blues, though, remain in contact over a possible move and could usurp their Premier League rivals with the Fenway Sports Group reluctant the player’s £180,000-a-week wage demand. Meanwhile, the Gabon international will cost £65 million – the figure does not faze either club from making a move for him.
It now remains to be seen if Liverpool snap Aubameyang up by agreeing to his wage demand or if Chelsea finally land a top striker this summer.
