According to reports, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s contract with Chelsea could be terminated in the summer after the striker for the Blues visited the locker room of his previous team, Barcelona. On March 12, Aubameyang, 33, was present at the Camp Nou to witness Barcelona defeat Real Madrid 2-1 in the El Clasico. After the victory, the Gabonese frontman also visited the club’s locker room. The forward allegedly expressed a wish to return to Barcelona during the visit. Even taking a pay cut in exchange for a transfer is acceptable to him.
Aubameyang joined Chelsea following an impressive spell with Barcelona. He only spent half a season with the Blaugrana but became a hit at the Camp Nou. His attitude in training and positive influence on the team were held in high regard by the Blaugrana.
However, Barcelona lured Robert Lewandowski to Catalonia, meaning the Gabonese frontman would lack game time. Chelsea came into the equation, with former manager Thomas Tuchel keen to reunite with his ex-Borussia Dortmund striker.
Aubameyang only joined the west London giants from Barcelona last summer for £12 million. He was one of Thomas Tuchel’s signings, but the German was sacked just weeks after his arrival, with Graham Potter preferring Kai Havertz as his first choice at No. 9. However, he has lacked game time, starting just ten of 19 games across competitions and scoring three times after Graham Potter’s arrival.
Aubameyang is viewed by Graham Potter as surplus to requirements. That became more evident when he was left off the Blues’ squad for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League. Although his contract is set to expire in 2024, it appears the Premier League club is eager to cut short his miserable tenure at Stamford Bridge. It’s possible that he’ll move back to Barcelona, where he scored 13 goals in 24 appearances.