KEY POINTS

  • Aubameyang joined Barcelona in January 
  • He scored 13 goals for Barca last term despite playing just 23 games
  • Aubameyang is linked with Chelsea and Man Utd

FC Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has reportedly rejected a move to Manchester United before the end of the 2022 summer window.

Manchester United have made an inquiry for the Gabonese player, who has been heavily linked with Chelsea over the last few weeks. Aubameyang still prefers to join the Blues as he wants to play in the UEFA Champions League, reported CaughtOffSide.

The Reds Devils are set to play in the second-tier European competition this season after they failed to secure a Champions League slot by finishing outside the top four of the Premier League table.

However, Erik ten Hag and group will continue to keep an eye on Aubameyang's transfer situation, according to Sky Sports.

Manchester United are on the lookout for a striker before the end of the window with Cristiano Ronaldo and injury-prone Anthony Martial their only main striking options.

Moreover, Ronaldo has been pushing for an exit from Old Trafford. Out of their four league games this season, the Portuguese star has started only once.

Aubameyang has also agreed to personal terms with Chelsea. Only an agreement between Barcelona and Chelsea is pending.

It was earlier reported that the Stamford Bridge side had proposed to include defender Marcos Alonso in a swap deal that would also see them pay around $20 million for the former Arsenal skipper. But the Catalans rejected it as they want to do a separate deal for Alonso and want Chelsea to return with an improved offer for Aubameyang.

Aubameyang was initially reluctant to leave Barcelona as he had a contract until 2025. However, the arrival of Robert Lewandowski has dropped Aubameyang in Xavi Hernandez's pecking order. He did not start in Barcelona's opening La Liga game against Rayo Vallecano. He came off the bench and was on the field for barely eight minutes.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates his second goal in Barcelona's 4-0 thrashing of Real Madrid on Sunday
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates his second goal in Barcelona's 4-0 thrashing of Real Madrid on Sunday AFP / JAVIER SORIANO

In the next two games, which were against Real Sociedad and Valladolid, Aubameyang was an unused substitute. He finished as Barcelona's joint-highest scorer the last term (13 goals) despite joining the club in January and playing only 23 competitive games.

Barcelona's next game is on Saturday against Sevilla.