Deadline Day: Chelsea Close To Securing Tuchel’s $20M Target Striker

Chelsea are reportedly on the verge of signing FC Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the final hours of the deadline day.

Barcelona and Chelsea are in talks regarding a swap deal involving Aubameyang and Blues defender Marcos Alonso. Chelsea are set to pay around $8 million for the Gabon player and offer Alonso to Barcelona as part of the deal, The Athletic reported.

Aubameyang, who moved from Arsenal to Barcelona as a free agent in the 2022 winter window, suffered a minor jaw fracture in a burglary attack at his home over the weekend. He is expected to be ruled out for at least three weeks but can begin non-contact training next week.

Chelsea are aware of Aubameyang’s situation. His injury won’t be a hindrance in the deal as talks between the two clubs are in advanced stages, according to Sky Sports. Barcelona and Chelsea are hoping to seal the deal before the summer window closes Thursday.

While Barcelona were against a swap deal for Aubameyang and wanted around $20 million for the player, it looks like the Catalans have changed their mind. One of the reasons could be their hunt for a replacement for full-back Sergino Dest, who has been loaned off to AC Milan as he was not a part of boss Xavi Hernandez’s plans for this term.

Following the arrival of Robert Lewandowski, Aubameyang is believed to have fallen down Xavi’s pecking order. Aubameyang did not start in Barcelona’s opening La Liga game against Real Sociedad. He came off the bench and was on the field for barely eight minutes.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have been desperate to land a striker after losing both Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner this summer. While Lukaku has returned to his former club Inter Milan on loan, Werner has moved to his previous club RB Leipzig on a permanent transfer.

Aubameyang’s move to Chelsea would also reunite the Gabon national with boss Thomas Tuchel. The two worked together at Borussia Dortmund in the past.

Chelsea suffered a 2-1 loss in their latest Premier League outing at Southampton. Five games into the 2022-23 Premier League campaign, Tuchel’s side has already lost twice, both being away fixtures. Their next game is on Saturday, which is a home fixture against West Ham.