Chelsea have begun exploring the possibility of a sensational swoop for former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as they look to find ways to strengthen their frontline this summer.
The Blues have added Raheem Sterling to their attack so far this summer, but Romelu Lukaku has returned to Inter Milan on a loan deal, while there is uncertainty over the futures of Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic.
As a result, the Blues have been exploring a move for the former Arsenal skipper, who was driven out under a cloud in January, and has since moved to Barcelona.
While they are yet to make a formal bid to the Spanish giants, they have held discussions with the player and his agent as they sound out a potential move.
Chelsea are now considering Pierre Emerick Aubameyang as potential new striker. Discussions have already started on player side, still no bid to Barcelona. 🚨🔵 #CFC
He’s one of the names in Chelsea list after meeting for Sesko and other targets. #FCB pic.twitter.com/hvsqIGpYMJ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 3, 2022
Thomas Tuchel has worked with the Gabon striker previously, with the pair enjoying a fruitful relationship when at Borussia Dortmund.
Tuchel runs rule over Auba
Any deal for the 33-year-old would be against the warning that Tuchel himself gave when the Gabonese star was in the red and white of Arsenal.
‘Back in the days at Dortmund, it was a pure pleasure to have him in the squad. Auba was a fantastic striker, a fantastic finisher on the pitch. But more than that, he was a fantastic worker off the pitch. I think he did not miss one single training in two years’, the Chelsea boss recalled.
“Maybe he arrived five minutes late on the training ground, that can happen with him! But if he does this, he is in a hurry, he excuses, he feels sorry, he has still a smile on his face.
(EMBARGO CONDITIONS – ATTENTION: D J699ET Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (L) and manager Thomas Tuchel celebrate at the end of the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and SC Freiburg in the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, 20 May 2017.
(EMBARGO CONDITIONS – ATTENTION: Due to the accreditation guidelines, the DFL only permits the publication and utilisation of up to 15 pictures per match on the internet and in online media during the match.) Photo: Bernd Thissen/dpa (Alamy Stock Photo)
“It was a pleasure to work with him, always a smile on his face, very, very honest guy.
“A bit of a crazy guy, but this is nice crazy. We still are in touch from time to time and exchange messages when some of us has a big win. In some way, he will still always be my player and feels like he will always be my player, so you want him to succeed and have a good time wherever they are.”
Should Chelsea continue to struggle in the forward department, a reunion could be on the cards.
