Why Aubameyang Chelsea transfer has stalled
FT Desk
- 26 Aug 2022 22:00 BST
- 3 min read
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's expected move from Barcelona to Chelsea has hit a new snag over the forward's contract expectations.
Aubameyang is on the verge of a reunion with former Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea turned to the player in the wake of Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner's departures.
Barca have received an offer worth around £18 million for their star, and while they are delighted with his contribution since arriving from Arsenal his exit would do much to ease the club's still-precarious financial state and slim their wage bill.
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A deal was expected to be struck as early as this weekend, but last-minute issues with Chelsea's offer of personal terms may intervene.
According to the Sun, the Blues and Aubameyang do not see eye to eye on the contract the Gabon international has been offered to move back to the Premier League.
Contract differences threaten Auba transfer
Of particular concern to the player is the contract's duration, with only a one-year deal currently on the table.
Aubameyang would prefer to sign for two seasons, while he remains under contract at Camp Nou for three more years until June 2025.
Chelsea, however, have a strict policy when dealing with veterans like the 33-year-old forward.
Both David Luiz and Willian left after the club refused to issue long-term contracts to the Brazilian duo, while defender and club stalwart Cesar Azpilicueta was close to following before a compromise was struck amid strong interest from Barca in his services.
Chelsea's clear need for an elite centre-forward - the likes of Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterling have operated there so far this season to varied levels of success - and Tuchel's own fondness might just prove enough to prompt them to break that unwritten rule another time and accommodate Aubameyang in their squad for the next two seasons.
