Barcelona 'open' to sign Chelsea star who 'will 100% leave'

Tom Weber

• 8 May 2023 11:35 BST
• 3 min read

Wantaway Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has admitted that he would love to return to Barcelona, and a move is certainly possible, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Though he has recently come back into the team under interim boss Frank Lampard, Aubameyang has had a torrid time of it at Chelsea since his move from Barcelona last summer. A Tuchel signing, the 33-year-old was left on the outside looking in when Graham Potter replaced the German at the helm of the Blues.

A potential return to his former stomping ground in Catalonia, where he was a popular figure and favourite of coach Xavi, has been rumoured for some time; rumours stoked by none other than the Gabonese himself when he went to party with the Barcelona squad in the Camp Nou dressing room after they beat Real Madrid the Clasico earlier this year.

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Given Aubameyang's lack of game time and Chelsea's need to balance the books after their €600 million spending spree, the 33-year-old could see his contract terminated in the summer, opening the door for a Blaugrana return.

What did Romano say?

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona are 'open' to re-signing their former striker. Indeed, the Italian announced to his 14.6 million Twitter followers that Aubameyang will '100% leave Chelsea.'

There are some conditions that need to be met first before a move can materialise. Barcelona themselves are struggling to meet Financial Fair Play regulations and they need to reduce their spending by a reported €200m before they can register new players. A tall task, although LaLiga president Javier Tebas recently asserted that he is confident the Blaugrana will rake in a 'good amount' from player sales this summer.

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Given their financial situation, however, Barcelona will only be able to sign Aubameyang if his contract is indeed terminated by Chelsea and if he is willing to take a pay cut. In other words, it's not going to be a straightforward process to sign the 33-year-old.

But Aubameyang is keen to make his Camp Nou comeback, telling DjamLife on TikTok: "I’d like to return to Barcelona, but we will see."