Aubameyang at a crossroads with Barcelona amid Chelsea transfer

Suraj Radia

• 18 Aug 2022 13:56 CDT
• 3 min read

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has become the latest player to be handed an ultimatum by Barcelona to either take a paycut or leave, with Chelsea ready to pounce.

Aubameyang penned an 18-month contract at Barca in January after leaving Arsenal and only earned €2 million in the remainder of the campaign, however he is set to receive up to €20m this season.

Barca are desperate to lower their wage bill and the Gabonese forward is not a guaranteed starter anymore after the arrivals of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, meaning the club see him as expendable.

The 33-year-old was initially set to stay at Barca, with Memphis Depay the attacker the Spanish side wished to sell, but Chelsea's interest has seen Aubameyang presented with an unexpected choice.

The Blues are desperate to strengthen their front line and boss Thomas Tuchel has turned to his former forward as an option, with all parties set for talks to discuss personal terms and a fee.

Barcelona are believed to want around €30m for the ex-Dortmund man but Chelsea are hoping for a fee closer to €20m, while personal terms are not thought to be an issue.

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Barcelona and Chelsea, friends forever?

Barcelona and Chelsea have been two of the busiest sides in the transfer window this summer, with both clubs encountering each other a number of times when conducting their business.

The English side twice have had moves hijacked by Barca for Raphinha and defender Jules Kounde, while the Catalans failed with a move for Blues captain Cesar Azpilicueta.

Marcos Alonso is also wanted by Barcelona and it is believed they will pursue a move for the left-back once they have sold a player, with Depay, Aubameyang and Frenkie de Jong all contenders to leave.

Barca have struggled to juggle all their financial commitments this summer, turning to a host of economic levers to fund their business, and they have yet to be able to register all their new signings and contracts with La Liga.

Despite the constant war between Barca and Chelsea, a move for Aubameyang would be in the best interests of both clubs and it is expected that a compromise can eventually be reached.