Chelsea have made a bid of €27 million for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and are set to offer the Barcelona forward personal terms, according to reports in Spain.
The 33-year-old has been heavily linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge this summer following the departures of Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku.
Currently, Chelsea have Kai Havertz, Raheem Sterling and Armando Broja as options to play in the centre of attack but the former is the only traditional number nine.
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Therefore, Thomas Tuchel is thought to be keen to reunite with Aubameyang, who enjoyed a successful spell under him at Borussia Dortmund.
Speaking on the forward last week, Tuchel admitted that he will always be his player after the success they enjoyed working together in Germany.
“I enjoyed a lot working with him, was a pleasure. Some players stay your players because you work very very close, Auba is one of these players,” he said.
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“We had a very close relationship.
"Always when we played him here with Arsenal, there was always straight away this close bond. They always stay your players in a way, Auba is one of these guys.
“No (concerns regarding discipline) because I experienced none of this. This is nothing to do with the situation in Arsenal which I will also not comment out of respect. It’s not on me to comment, I don’t know what happened. In Dortmund there was never an issue.”
While it was unclear whether Chelsea would look to move for the Gabon international, it has now been reported that the club have made the first bid.
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As reported by Spanish journalist and Barcelona insider Gerard Romero, Chelsea have offered Barcelona €27 million.
It remains to be seen whether this fee will be large enough to see Barcelona agree to the sale, with Aubameyang arriving from Arsenal in January.
The 33-year-old has also attracted interest from Manchester United, but Fabrizio Romano continued to reveal that he is focused on Chelsea’s bid due to his desire to play Champions League football.
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There will be new direct contacts on Thursday to discuss personal terms but Xavi wants to keep him at Barcelona, he finalised.
Early on Thursday morning it was revealed by Spanish news outlet Relevo that Chelsea will now present their formal offer to Barcelona in the next few hours.
Every party is said to be ready for a deal to be agreed as Tuchel could land his former striker as he looks to challenge at the top of the Premier League.
Topics: Barcelona, Chelsea, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Football, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Transfers, Thomas Tuchel
Nick Emms