Chelsea are ‘preparing a formal offer’ for Pierre Emerick Aubameyang as they ramp up their efforts to sign him from Barcelona.
That’s according to Marca, who say the striker’s future at the Nou Camp ‘remains unclear’ despite his desire to stay.
The newspaper reports that there are ‘options’ for Aubameyang to leave Barcelona this summer, with Chelsea at the front of the queue.
They are ‘pushing hard’ to sign him and ‘could soon make an offer’ in excess of €20m to secure his signature.
So far, no formal offer has arrived from Stamford Bridge and Chelsea are waiting to make a definitive move despite the fact ‘there have been talks’ between the two clubs.
If a proposal were to be made it would mean a ‘significant influx’ of money for Barcelona that could go straight into their balance sheet as Aubameyang arrived on a free in January.
In other words, they’d be tempted by the sale even though it is not one that manager Xavi particularly wants. In truth, it is simply a good market opportunity for them.
Their main objective is to free up the wage bill and selling Aubameyang would allow them to do that and then register Jules Koundé.
It can’t happen until Chelsea make their move, though, which is yet to happen.
