Chelsea are reportedly against the idea of selling Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang back to Barcelona in the summer transfer window.
The Gabon international's return to English football has not been a joyous affair for club or player, who initially came back to London to work under Thomas Tuchel again.
However, the former Borussia Dortmund boss was sacked only a week after Aubameyang's arrival, and the 33-year-old has since found himself on the periphery of Graham Potter's team.
Aubameyang's Chelsea career was seemingly dead in the water when he was left out of the Blues' Champions League knockout squad, but the January transfer window slammed shut with the attacker still at Stamford Bridge.
Aubameyang's contract with the West London club expires at the end of next season, though, and everything is pointing towards a mutual parting of the ways in a few months' time.
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The likes of Atletico Madrid and AC Milan are believed to be interested in the ex-Arsenal man, who was also rumoured to have been in talks over a move to MLS side Los Angeles FC.
A return to Camp Nou has been mooted as the most likely outcome, though, with Barcelona supposedly hoping to re-sign their former striker on a free transfer.
However, #Sport claims that Chelsea are not willing to sell Aubameyang to Barcelona this summer, having been irked by the attacker's "flirting" with the Blaugrana.
Aubameyang is supposedly desperate to return to Camp Nou and is willing to undergo financial sacrifices to ensure that a move materialises, but Chelsea cannot afford to take more losses.
The Blues recently reported a loss of £121m for the 2021-22 season, and the club could apparently face a battle with the Premier League over an alleged breach of profit and sustainability rules.
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As a result, Chelsea will flat out refuse to terminate Aubameyang's contract and let him leave with a sizeable payoff, but the striker is willing to wait and has blocked interest from Inter Milan due to his desire to play for Barcelona again.
After leaving Arsenal in acrimonious circumstances last January, Aubameyang rediscovered his goalscoring touch at Barcelona with 13 goals from 24 games in all competitions.
However, the former Borussia Dortmund man has just three goals and one assist to show from 18 games in a Chelsea jersey, starting just four Premier League matches for the Blues.
Aubameyang has missed Chelsea's last two Premier League games with a back problem, although he returned to Barcelona to celebrate their El Clasico win over Real Madrid just before the international break.
It is currently unclear if Aubameyang will be fit to return for Chelsea's meeting with Aston Villa on Saturday, as the Blues aim to improve on their 10th-placed standing in the table.
Ben Knapton
