After failing in their bid to bring Romelu Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have been linked with a €70 million (£63m) move for Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to reports in Spain.
Manchester United beat rivals Chelsea to the £75 million signing of Everton striker Lukaku after the Belgian striker was officially announced as a Red Devil today.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte now has to go in search of another option up front after Diego Costa revealed that the Italian manager had told him he was no longer in his plans.
The Premier League champions have been strongly linked with a move for Real Madrid’s Álvaro Morata. The Spaniard was previously considered United’s second choice target should they fail to sign Lukaku.
However, if reports from Spanish outlet Marca are to be believed, Chelsea are hoping to beat Paris Saint-Germain to the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Gabon striker has been prolific during his four seasons with Borussia Dortmund but, with no realistic chance of winning the Bundesliga this upcoming season due to Bayern Munich’s dominance, the 28-year-old may be tempted to leave the club.
Aubameyang is lightning quick and has scored 56 goals in 63 Bundesliga appearances over the past two seasons. When he first joined the club in 2013, head coach Jürgen Klopp played him as a right forward with Robert Lewandowski the central striker. This would give Chelsea manager Antonio Conte some flexibility should he sign the player.
However, Chelsea face stiff competition from Paris Saint-Germain who are happy to throw their money around. The Parisians are certainly expected to spend big this summer having finished runners up to AS Monaco in Ligue 1 this past season.
Edinson Cavani led the line for PSG last season following the departure of Zlatan Ibrahimović to Manchester United. The Uruguayan filled in well for the departing Swede with 35 goals in his 36 league appearances but manager Unai Emery appears to want another option in attack. Cavani played out on the left of a front three when Zlatan was at the club.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang would be a welcome addition to the Premier League should Chelsea land him. And with Romelu Lukaku priced at £75 million, if the Blues were able to land the prolific Dortmund striker for a fee in the region of £63 million, not too many eyebrows would be raised.
