Stuck at Chelsea: Aubameyang BLOCKED from Barcelona return

Stuart Telford

• 12 Jan 2023 13:59 GMT
• 3 min read

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been linked with a swift return to Barcelona from Chelsea, but La Liga regulations mean that it won't be possible this season…

Aubameyang joined Chelsea from Barca in a €12 million deal as one of the final transfers in last summer's transfer window, and was looking forward to working with his former Borussia Dortmund head coach Thomas Tuchel.

But their reunion lasted less than an hour of football before Tuchel was dismissed by new owner Todd Boehly and replaced with former Brighton manager Graham Potter.

READ: Barcelona linked with sensational Aubameyang transfer

Aubameyang hasn't fared well since, scoring just a single Premier League goal since, and without a start in England's top flight for two months - despite being injury-free. A return to Barca has been floated, but now looked unlikely.

Aubameyang can't be registered

"The Spanish FA have clarified their rules prevent players from being de-registered and registered again in the same season," Mirror Football journalist Colin Millar posted on Twitter.

"Aubameyang therefore cannot return to Barcelona, despite interest, which leaves him in the situation of only being able to play for Chelsea for rest of this season."

READ: Barcelona to sell THREE stars to make two players untouchable

Barca had been hopeful of re-signing Aubameyang to the same squad spot, and they were confident of having space in the squad with Memphis Depay reportedly set to seal a switch to Atletico Madrid.

Barca's squad planning comes into question in regard to Aubameyang. He was their 13-goal top scorer last season despite only arriving at Camp Nou from Arsenal last January, but allowed to leave following Robert Lewandowski's €50m arrival from Bayern Munich.

Whilst the Pole has been characteristically prolific - 18 goals in 20 games - Aubameyang could play alongside him in the final third, as he once did with Dortmund.

Barca are also reportedly willing to sell any of Raphinha, Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres as they look to rebalance the books following their group stage exit from this season's Champions League, and Aubameyang's ability to cover more than one position could have been valuable.