Barcelona have rejected Chelsea’s opening offer for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this summer, with the Blaugrana set to hold out for a higher amount for their veteran striker.
The Blues are in need of forward reinforcements this summer, having seen Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku both depart and the futures of Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic still uncertain.
And, following their failure to add Raphinha to their squad, Thomas Tuchel is particularly keen on a reunion with Aubameyang, who he spent a fruitful period managing while the pair were at Dortmund together.
When quizzed by the media, the Chelsea boss refused to close the door for any potential move amid speculation about their interest in the Gabon star.
“I enjoyed working with him a lot, it was a pleasure. I’ve never had any issue”, he explained.
“Some players stay your players, as you are very close. Auba is one of the players. Even when we played Arsenal, straight away it was a close bond” the German added.
(EMBARGO CONDITIONS – ATTENTION: D J699ET Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (L) and manager Thomas Tuchel celebrate at the end of the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and SC Freiburg in the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, 20 May 2017.
(EMBARGO CONDITIONS – ATTENTION: Due to the accreditation guidelines, the DFL only permits the publication and utilisation of up to 15 pictures per match on the internet and in online media during the match.) Photo: Bernd Thissen/dpa (Alamy Stock Photo)
Barca reject first bid
Financially, it would make sense for the club to cash in on the former Arsenal captain, with Aubameyang having signed a deal with Barcelona in January that saw him paid less in the first year of his contract than his second, which in turn would mean less wiggle-room for Barca financially as they look to find a way to register Jules Kounde before the end of the transfer window.
