Aubameyang to Chelsea still on as Man Utd fail with hijack

FT Desk

29 Aug 2022 03:40 CDT
3 min read

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Barcelona 2022-23 — © ProShots

Manchester United have suffered a blow in their pursuit of Barcelona forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, allowing Chelsea to get ahead of them in the race.

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The Red Devils have considered Aubameyang to be an option to solve their attacking problems for this season due to their shortage in attack.

Anthony Martial and Cristiano Ronaldo are their only senior options: the former often suffers with fitness issues, while the latter is still keen to leave the club.

That led to them looking elsewhere for options – at least for the short-run – but may now face problems in attempting to sign Aubameyang from Barcelona.

Man Utd suffer Aubameyang blow

Manchester United offered a longer contract to Aubameyang than Chelsea did, which they hoped would tempt the Gabon international, but it may not work out as planned.

Aubameyang reportedly has a greater agreement with Chelsea on personal terms, and that deal could be close to completion before the transfer deadline is reached.

The forward also has a desire to play Champions League football, something he can get at Chelsea and not Manchester United, who are in the Europa League.

🗞 #mufc have been keeping tabs on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Memphis Depay, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Old Trafford remains uncertain. [@David_Ornstein]
— UtdDistrict 🔰 (@UtdDistrict) August 29, 2022

Additionally, at the Blues, he can reunite with Thomas Tuchel, who he had a good relationship with at Borussia Dortmund before the manager left the club.

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has remained coy on the club’s remaining transfer targets, although they are set to complete the signing of Antony from Ajax in the coming days.

Barcelona were open to keeping Aubameyang this summer, but are holding out for a big fee – reportedly €30 million – and Chelsea are negotiating, which has been a tempting factor for the Blaugrana.

Aubameyang only joined Barcelona earlier in 2022 having terminated his contract at Arsenal and had a great second half to last season at the Camp Nou, helping his side finish second in La Liga.