Player ‘close to Chelsea’ after clubs ‘intensified contacts’ – New ‘push’ from Blues after Leeds defeat

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang is ‘close to Chelsea’, with the Blues pushing to get a deal over the line with Barcelona.

That’s according to Mundo Deportivo, Sport, AS and Marca today, with all four newspapers providing an update on the ongoing transfer negotiations.

Mundo explain that talks between Chelsea and Barcelona had halted on Friday but after the 3-0 defeat to Leeds on Sunday there has been a new push from the Blues, who have been urged to make signings by manager Thomas Tuchel.

Negotiations are now ‘open’ and Aubameyang was left out of Barcelona’s squad for the clash with Real Sociedad because of this.

Sport say similar, labelling the move to Chelsea ‘a safe transfer’ and stating Aubameyang will accept the move once the clubs reach an agreement.

The internal debate at the Nou Camp has now ended and the transfer has been authorised by the coaching staff, although it may take until the final days of the window to get a deal over the line.

Barcelona and Chelsea are negotiating and while there are indications the two will ‘come to an understanding’ there is still a difference.

Barca want €25-30m, but Chelsea are hoping to include Marcos Alonso in it, something the Catalans would prefer not to happen.

It is this which has led to the protracted negotiations as the Blues are looking to increase Alonso’s valuation to bring down the figure, they pay for Aubameyang.

Difficulties had arisen but there was a ‘new push’ from Chelsea yesterday according to AS, who say the striker ‘should end up at Chelsea’ before the window comes to a close.

Marca, meanwhile, add that Aubameyang is ‘closer to Chelsea’ and the two clubs have ‘intensified contacts’ leading to a deal worth €20m being close.

They concur that Barcelona’s coaching team have now agreed to the sale, knowing it will provide the funds to allow them to register Jules Koundé and move forward with their project.