Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang won't be able to play for another team this season if he joins a new club in the January transfer window. The former Arsenal captain has been linked with an exit from Stamford Bridge just months after joining from Barcelona in the summer.
The 33-year-old was reunited with Thomas Tuchel, having played under him at Borussia Dortmund, claiming it was an "honour and a joy" to play under him again. In dramatic fashion, that rekindling of a previous time only last a matter of days, with the German coach dismissed from his role with Aubameyang playing a few mere minutes for him.
Life in west London since has been tough for the forward, who has managed nine appearances in the Premier League with a solitary goal to his name this season. His apparent decline was on display in the first of their recent matches against Manchester City, where the striker was brought on from the bench in the opening minutes of their 1-0 home defeat in the Premier League, only to be substituted again midway through the second half.
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There has been plenty of speculation over the future of the Gabon international since, with no clear return of form in sight and difficulties getting into a side torn apart by injuries. The latest link has been with a return to La Liga as Atletico Madrid are said to be interested in a move, per reports.
With the January window now open, a transfer for Aubameyang is possible, however it is highly unlikely unless he were to return to Barcelona. That's due to a FIFA ruling over the amount of clubs a player may feature for in a season, stating they may register for a maximum of three sides, but can only make appearances for two.
Having been registered with both Barca and the Blues, he could still make an exit, however he has featured for both this season, playing eight minutes for the Blaugrana against Rayo Vallecano in the first match of the season. It means he can't feature for any side apart from Chelsea or Barcelona for the rest of the campaign, adding a high likelihood that a move to Atletico Madrid won't happen in the next month.
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