Chelsea’s chase for former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is set to be complete within the next couple of days.
What’s the word?
That is according to journalist Simon Phillips, via GIVEMESPORT, who claims that Chelsea’s deal for the 33-year-old is expected “to move a lot faster in the next couple of days.”
Speaking to GMS, Phillips said: “I do expect this one to move a lot faster in the next couple of days. Chelsea want to verbally agree personal terms first, and then they will put their offer down to Barcelona.
“So, once the verbal terms are agreed, Chelsea want to put in about an £18 million plus add-ons offer for Aubameyang. Barcelona, at the moment, are holding out for £25 million, I expect them to meet somewhere in the middle there.
“I don’t think there’ll be a problem with a fee, and I now don’t think there’ll be a problem with the personal terms either.
“So, I think it’s just the case now of getting those agreed, getting the offer agreed, and I can see this really speeding up now.”
Tuchel masterclass
With both Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner rejoining their former clubs, 20-year-old Armando Broja remains the club’s only recognised striker. With Tuchel clearly feeling as though he cannot rely on the youngster who bagged six goals in 32 Premier League appearances on-loan at Southampton last season, Kai Havertz has once more been deployed as a makeshift centre-forward.
As such, without a ruthless and recognised target-man, a move for Aubameyang makes a lot of sense.
Despite limited appearances for Arsenal across the first half of the season, Aubameyang has reignited his career during his short spell at Barcelona, having scored 11 goals in 17 La Liga appearances.
68-time Premier League scorer, Aubameyang, who has been dubbed “electric” by Goal correspondent Charles Watts, and a “veteran” by Frank Khalid, is said to have a strong relationship with Thomas Tuchel spanning back to the pair’s Borussia Dortmund days, and with Chelsea looking for a reliable target man to lead the line and help in the development of Broja, a move for the Premier League-proven striker seems like a no-brainer.
At Barcelona, Aubameyang proved his potency in front of goal and now has the chance to do so in the Premier League once more.
