Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is reportedly on Atletico Madrid's radar as his struggles at Chelsea continue.
The Blues are in the market for more firepower despite adding the former Arsenal man in the summer. Aubameyang has been prolific in the Premier League previously, but has only scored three times since moving to Stamford Bridge, which is why Graham Potter has gone after new faces.
A move for Joao Felix is close to completion with the Portuguese star poised to join on loan for the remainder of the campaign. The Daily Mail understands that Atletico are among those tracking Aubameyang, but any move is not directly linked to the future of Felix.
Aubameyang has not started a game for Chelsea since November and was bought on, and then off, by Potter during last week's defeat to Manchester City - which pundit Paul Merson claimed could spell the end for the 33-year-old.
The former Arsenal star said: "I think Aubameyang will now be moved on. I think they will cut their ties with him.
"As soon as you are sub-subbing a 30-something player, I think that is probably the end. Maybe you can get away with it with a younger player, but in football it’s one of those unwritten rules. It’s a don’t-do.
"But Potter did it with him at 33 and, for me, I think he’s done. It’s an example of why recruitment is such a big problem for Chelsea."
Despite his lack of potency it is believed that, due to a lack of back-up, the west Londoners are not looking to offload the Gabon international this month.
Armando Broja is currently sidelined which has hampered Potter's options, leaving him to largely play without a recognised striker. He's opted for a false nine system, but it has negatively impacted Chelsea in the final third. They are, by some margin, the lowest scorers in the top half with just 20 goals, seven fewer than next lowest Manchester United.
The Blues hope Felix's imminent arrival will improve their productivity in attacking areas. They've fought off competition from Manchester United and Arsenal to sign the forward. The loan switch is set to cost them just under £10m, but won't include any purchase option with the player recently penning a new deal until 2027, as per ESPN.
Chelsea have not seen a player break the 20-goal barrier since Eden Hazard did so in the 2018/19 season. Since then they've seen big names come in but struggle to make an impact, most recently Romelu Lukaku, who arrived from Inter Milan for a club-record fee.
New arrivals will joined a Blues side desperately struggling for form and confidence. Their 4-0 hammering at City on Sunday means they're out of both cup competitions as they face a fight to make the top four. Pressure is mounting on Potter, but he still retains the faith of Todd Boehly, who only hired him in September.
