Revealed: Barcelona set date for Aubameyang's Chelsea transfer
FT Desk
- 25 Aug 2022 22:15 BST
- 3 min read
Barcelona are confident that the sale of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Chelsea will be completed in the coming days.
Aubameyang has emerged as a top target for the Blues, who are keen to strengthen up front after letting Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner both leave this summer.
And while Barca admire greatly the Gabon international's talents, their precarious salary situation means they cannot walk away from a potential sale.
Related articles
The continued uncertainty around Jules Kounde in particular has intensified the need for extra cap room, with the defender still unregistered at Camp Nou two games into the Liga season.
Kounde is the only new arrival at Barcelona who is yet to feature for the club competitively, though he did play in a midweek friendly against Manchester City to raise funds for sufferers of multiple sclerosis.
According to Sport, though, a breakthrough is on the way thanks to Chelsea and Aubameyang.
When will Kounde make Barcelona debut?
Coach Xavi has reportedly been informed that he can expect to have Kounde in his squad in time for Sunday's clash with Valladolid.
That is because Barcelona are certain that Aubameyang's transfer back to the Premier League will be made official by that date, both injecting fresh funds into the club coffers and freeing up wage space.
The former Arsenal star will cost Chelsea £18 million, barely six months after moving to Camp Nou on a free transfer after his time at the Gunners turned sour.
While registering Kounde is the absolute priority for the Barcelona administration, there could be yet more transfer activity if club finances allow.
In particular the club is looking for more depth on both sides of defence.
Long-time target Marcos Alonso - who was reportedly considered by Chelsea at one point as a makeweight in the Aubameyang deal - is wanted as an alternative to Jordi Alba on the right, while on the opposite flank Barca's attentions have turned to Villarreal's Argentina international, ex-Tottenham man Juan Foyth.
