Chelsea target Aubameyang as solution to striker crisis
FT Desk
- Updated: 23 May 2023 08:46 CDT
- 3 min read
Chelsea are launching an audacious bid for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the solution to their current woes up front, according to reports.
The Daily Mail reports that Thomas Tuchel is keen for a reunion with his former Borussia Dortmund charge at Stamford Bridge, after losing both Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner over the summer.
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Those deals have left the Blues without a recognised front-line centre-forward, with Raheem Sterling filling in down the middle during Saturday's Premier League victory over Everton even though the ex-Manchester City man is more comfortable out wide.
Negotiations have already opened with Barcelona over Aubameyang, who made a big impression at Camp Nou following his January switch from Arsenal on a free transfer.
The Londoners are looking to sound out Barca over their willingness to sell, although the Gabon international has not been included among the players tipped as most likely to leave Camp Nou over the transfer window.
That decision may be out of Barca's hands, however.
Barca face registration headache
Recent reports suggest that their failure to meet La Liga's salary cap requirements will mean that several summer reinforcements may not be registered as squad members for the new season.
Some, most notably free transfer arrivals Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen, could even be released without playing a single game in a bid to reduce the wage burden.
Selling Aubameyang would at least give Barca some oxygen and room to manoeuvre while they attempt to resolve the tangled future of Frenkie de Jong, wanted by both Manchester United and Chelsea but apparently reluctant to sign for either side.
Barca would not be left short-handed at centre-forward either, thanks to the blockbuster signing of Bayern Munich ace Robert Lewandowski.
