Todd Boehly is deep in talks over a Chelsea player’s transfer to La Liga, according to the latest reports coming out of Spain.
Chelsea have spent over £600million since Boehly bought the club from Roman Abramovich and must therefore offload players this summer to prevent Financial Fair Play penalties. There are several big names who could leave, such as Hakim Ziyech, Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher.
According to Saturday’s Transfer Gossip, Paris Saint-Germain have set their sights on Ziyech again after failing to land the winger in January. Mount, meanwhile, is a target for Liverpool as his new Chelsea contract is still nowhere to be seen.
Gallagher would ideally like to remain at Stamford Bridge. But if Boehly puts him up for sale, then Premier League clubs such as Newcastle United and Crystal Palace could battle to sign him.
They are not the only Chelsea players being linked with moves. Striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is expected to leave after a disastrous spell in west London.
He returned to the Prem last summer by joining the Blues in a £12million deal from Barca. But Aubameyang has only managed three goals in 18 appearances since then.
The former Arsenal captain is fed up of warming the bench at Chelsea and will therefore push for a transfer this summer. He has been tipped to go back to Barca, and that move appears to be gathering pace.
According to Sport Witness, who cite Spanish outlet Sport, ‘negotiations are underway’ between Boehly and Barca officials as they look to find a solution for Aubameyang.
Chelsea enter ‘advanced’ transfer talks
Talks are thought to be ‘advanced’, which suggests an agreement between the two clubs could soon emerge.
The report does not reveal the exact terms of the deal which may take Aubameyang back to Spain. Barca do not want to spend too much money on him due to their financial problems, while Chelsea do not want to let him go for free as his contract runs until June 2024.
It is likely the two clubs are in discussions over a cut-price deal which is worth less than the £12m Chelsea originally spent on the forward. This would mostly satisfy both teams, although it would leave Chelsea slightly out of pocket.
Barca ditched the Gabon international in the summer after landing Bundesliga hitman Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich. But they have since regretted that decision.
The report explains how Barca do not have enough centre-forward options to properly provide Lewandowski with backup. Indeed, Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati are the only other options available to Xavi, and they generally play as wingers.
Aubameyang would be a cheap solution to this problem. And he knows Barca well from his short spell at the Nou Camp previously.
At 33 years of age, Aubameyang will not be a long-term solution for Barca. But signing him will give them a year or two to identify younger strikers capable of competing with Lewandowski.