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Chelsea are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, as per The Athletic's David Ornstein.
The English journalist tweeted that the Blues have submitted their latest bid, which stands around €7.5m plus Marcos Alonso in exchange for the Gabonese striker.
Ornstein believes the two clubs are on the verge of an agreement with the player receiving a two-year contract and the third year will be optional, based on the number of appearances he makes in his second season with the club.
He further reported that Aubameyang is currently in Barcelona as the deal moves towards a conclusion.
"Chelsea on verge of agreement to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Barcelona. Latest bid ~€7.5m + Marcos Alonso. Proposed deal 2+1y (y3 based on % of apps in y2). 33yo currently in Barcelona. Moving towards conclusion."
Aubameyang is reportedly a priority signing for Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel. The Blues need a new centre-forward after selling Timo Werner to RB Leipzig and loaning out Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan. Kai Havertz is playing as a makeshift forward at the moment with young Armando Broja as his backup.
The Blues are also ready to part ways with left-back Marcos Alonso, who joined the club back in 2016. He has won one Premier League title, one Europa League, one FA Cup, one Champions League trophy, one UEFA Super Cup and one FIFA Club World Cup with the club.
Chelsea have been busy in the transfer market this summer
With the Blues undergoing a regime change this summer, the expectation was that the new owners would take time to delve into the market. However, Todd Boehly has come out all guns blazing to sign new players at the club.
While this attitude does indicate towards a scattergun approach, Boehly's ambition will please the club's fans. They have signed Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, Gabriel Slonina, Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana, Cesare Casadei, and Carney Chibueze Chukwuemeka this summer, with more arrivals expected on deadline day.
It will now be up to Tuchel to deliver with a strengthened squad. The German has had a tough start to the season, with the Blues collecting only seven points in five league games so far.
