Chelsea are furious at Barcelona for contacting Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and will now refuse to sell the striker to the Catalan club, it has been claimed.
Following his £10.5million transfer to Stamford Bridge last September from the Camp Nou, Aubameyang has failed to make an impact upon returning to the Premier League and is keen for an exit from Stamford Bridge – with Barca monitoring his situation.
However, the Blues have been made aware that the Blaugrana have made contact with their out-of-favour striker without their permission and such is their anger over this conduct, they will refuse any approach. Italian giants Inter Milan are also keeping tabs on Aubameyang, who looks set to leave London this summer.
The Gabonese striker had endured the ignominy midweek of being a substitute in January’s Premier League defeat against Manchester City to be hauled off in the second half as his side chased an equalising goal – as his struggles to assert himself under Graham Potter continued.
Aubameyang was a transfer deadline day signing by the Blues last summer in a move which reunited him with former Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel, who was subsequently sacked a week later – with the striker struggling since. He has made just one appearance, as a substitute, since January.
Aubameyang was left out of Chelsea's Champions League squad in favour of newer additions in west London. With boss Potter open to sanctioning his departure, his exit this summer appears to be almost certain.
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A report from Diario AS outlines how the relationship between the Blues and Barca has deteriorated after finding out they had been contacting Aubameyang without their permission and speaking to him about a return to Catalonia this year.
Aubameyang only joined Barca 15 months ago, as he gave up part of his salary to seal a move to the Camp Nou from Arsenal. His contract at the Gunners was terminated on transfer deadline day to allow him to seal a move to Barcelona.
The 33-year-old had a respectable goal return of 13 strikes in 24 appearances for Xavi's side, but the summer signing of Robert Lewandowski pushed him down the pecking order and preceded his return to London – signing for Chelsea on transfer deadline of the summer window.
Despite barely featuring this season, Potter insists Aubameyang is an “important player” at Chelsea. Speaking after his omission from Chelsea's Champions League squad in February, Potter said: "Pierre knows the situation but he’s part of the squad, he’s an important player.
“He’s worked hard and nothing is set in stone; his attitude has been really good and we will make an assessment going forward."
