Aggrieved Chelsea Refuse To Sell Aubameyang To Barcelona

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is anxious to join Barcelona, but Chelsea is unable to let him leave for the Liga side due to severe doubts about his future.

The Blues spent £10 million ($12m) in a deal to sign the Gabonese striker last summer, a move that saw Marcos Alonso head in the opposite direction. Aubameyang has, however, failed to live up to expectations at Stamford Bridge, scoring three times in 18 appearances across all competitions, and finds himself low down the pecking order under Graham Potter.

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According to SPORT, the 33-year-old is desperate to return to Camp Nou to revive his career but Chelsea are not going to make it easy for him. Indeed, it has been reported that club management were left angered by Aubameyang’s visit to Camp Nou to watch Barca’s Clasico win over Real Madrid before the international break.

The MLS made proposals to Chelsea for Aubameyang in January, but the trade finally fell through. The possibility of a potential contract termination is not thought to be realistic because Chelsea is confident they will receive offers for Aubameyang in the summer. Aubameyang’s contract is set to expire in 2024. Although Inter are reportedly interested in signing him, Barcelona is still the player’s first option.

Aubameyang is reportedly ready to take a pay cut to join Barca as the Catalans are struggling to meet the FFP regulations set by La Liga. Barcelona are also aware that Chelsea are tough negotiators, given their experience with the transfer of Alonso in the summer, as they had to wait until deadline day to get the deal over the line.

Aubameyang hasn’t appeared for the Blues since February, so the forward will be hoping that Potter will give him a chance when Chelsea plays Aston Villa on Saturday. However, that scenario is still unlikely. While Elche hosts Barcelona in La Liga, the latter team will resume play.