MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 13:46:43| >> :120:5008:5008:

Chelsea 'willing to let Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leave for free this summer'

Chelsea 'willing to let Aubameyang leave for free this summer'
© Reuters
Chelsea are reportedly prepared to let Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leave the club for free this summer amid interest from Barcelona.

Chelsea are reportedly willing to let unwanted striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang depart for free at the end of his nightmare 2022-23 season.

The former Arsenal man was coaxed back to the Premier League less than a year after joining Barcelona, initially to work under ex-Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel.

However, Aubameyang had only been at Stamford Bridge for a weeks before Tuchel was given the boot, and he failed to make the grade during Graham Potter's short-lived spell in charge.

The Gabon international was even left out of the Blues' Champions League squad for the knockout stages, and there have been little signs of a revival under Frank Lampard either, in spite of Chelsea's ongoing struggles in front of goal.

Aubameyang remains contracted to the West London club until the summer of 2024, but he is expected to be one of the first names out of the door this summer as Chelsea plan to significantly trim their wage bill.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in action for Chelsea on September 14, 2022© Reuters

The 33-year-old has been tipped to return to Italy with AC Milan, whom he represented between 2008 and 2012, while MLS outfit Los Angeles FC have been credited with an interest too.

However, Barcelona have been the most strongly linked with a move for their former striker, who has apparently told his old Blaugrana teammates that he would be open to a return.

According to Football Espana, Chelsea would be prepared to rip up Aubameyang's contract and allow him to depart for nothing, opening the door for a return to Barcelona.

Furthermore, at least 80% of the Barcelona squad would apparently welcome the 33-year-old back with open arms given his previous positive exploits in Catalonian colours.

Aubameyang struck 13 goals in 24 outings for Xavi's side in the second half of the 2021-22 season, and Barca could pull off a deal due to their improving financial situation.

Chelsea's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates scoring their first goal on October 1, 2022© Reuters

A new striker is not thought to be high on Barca's agenda, though, as the club are expecting the prolific Robert Lewandowski to remain on the books for the 2023-24 season.

Nevertheless, with Aubameyang capable of deputising out wide, the possible exits of Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres and Raphinha could open the door for him to come back.

The Gabon marksman has recorded just three goals and one assist in 20 appearances for Chelsea, including a solitary strike from 14 Premier League outings.

Aubameyang has not started a top-flight game since January 5, although he was given a 45-minute cameo off the bench in last week's 2-0 defeat to West London rivals Brentford.

That loss to the Bees marked a fifth defeat in a row for Lampard's outfit, who have dropped to 12th in the table ahead of Tuesday's trip to Aubameyang's former employers Arsenal.

ID:512756:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5429:

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang future - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Roberto Firmino celebrates scoring for Liverpool on October 12, 2022
Read Next:
Barcelona 'reject chance to sign Roberto Firmino'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!