Barcelona open to transfer discussions with Chelsea over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
- Planet Sport writer
- 13 August 2022
Barcelona and Chelsea are set to open discussions over a fee for former Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund forward, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is said to have a strong relationship with the Gabon international after working together in the Bundesliga.
What's more, the Blues are still on the lookout for a striker after losing Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner during the summer transfer window.
Tuchel's men have already brought in the likes of Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly, but the club is ready to continue their spending spree.
Barcelona's continued financial problems leaves the Catalan giants still battling to balance the books, and offloading players remains a central part of that exercise.
Robert Lewandowski's arrival from Bayern Munich has left Barca comfortable with Aubameyang leaving for the right terms.
Nou Camp bosses are thought to want to push for upwards of £20million to let Aubameyang leave, but the Blues are also understood to have been encouraged towards making a reasonable offer.
Chelsea could chase a loan deal by shouldering Aubameyang's full wage packet, but Barca would likely be more in favour of a permanent transfer.
The Blues, who host Antonio Conte's Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, started the new campaign with a 1-0 win at Everton but still want to add more firepower to their ranks.
Tuchel has been heavily involved in the Blues' recruitment this summer, with new chairman and co-owner Todd Boehly acting as interim sporting director.
Technical director Petr Cech opted to leave the club at the end of the Roman Abramovich era, and Tuchel has admitted the former goalkeeper's departure has left a gap off the field.
