KEY POINTS

  • Aubameyang is contracted with Barcelona until 2025
  • He moved from Arsenal to Barca on a free transfer in January
  • The Gabon striker scored 13 goals in 23 games for Barca last term

Chelsea reportedly want to sign FC Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in a swap deal.

Aubameyang, who moved from Arsenal to Barcelona in a free transfer this January, has a contract until 2025. The Catalans have their eyes on Chelsea full-back Marcos Alonso, while the Blues are desperate to strengthen their attack by landing Aubameyang in the final few days of the ongoing summer window.

Talks between the two clubs are currently underway as no agreement has been reached. Chelsea have made a proposal for Aubameyang that would see them pay Barcelona $20 million and offer Alonso to them.

However, Barcelona have rejected the swap deal as they want an improved asking price and they consider doing a separate deal for Alonso, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, who has a credible record in the European transfer market.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are confident of securing Aubameyang, who has become a top target of boss Thomas Tuchel, according to Football London.

It has been reported that while Aubameyang initially was reluctant to leave Camp Nou for Chelsea, the 33-year-old striker has now agreed to make the switch.

Following the arrival of Robert Lewandowski, the Gabonese player is believed to have fallen down Xavi Hernandez's pecking order. Aubameyang did not start in Barcelona's opening La Liga game against Real Sociedad. He came off the bench and was on the field for barely eight minutes.

Chelsea have lost Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner this summer, so Aubameyang's addition would be a great step up for the Blues. This would also reunite the player with Tuchel as the two worked together at Borussia Dortmund in the past.

Despite making only 23 competitive appearances following his move to Barcelona last season, Aubameyang finished the campaign as Barcelona's joint top scorer. He netted 13 goals and an assist in 23 games, out of which, 11 came in the La Liga as Aubameyang played a key role in helping a struggling Barcelona finish second in the league table and secure the Champions League for the 2022-23 campaign.

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

Barcelona are currently focused on selling quite a few players in order to make space in their salary bracket and register Jules Kounde to their first-team squad.

It has been reported that the Catalans have rejected Bayern Munich's loan proposal for Frenkie de Jong. The Camp Nou side is only interested in a permanent sale for the Dutchman.