Romelu Lukaku has sensationally chosen to join Manchester United after sending feelers to the London club about a possible move back to Chelsea. Antonio Conte, reportedly furious, after being led to believe that the Belgian was London-bound, has no choice but to go back to the drawing board and identify a forward to replace Diego Costa.
The Blues have been continually linked with the likes of Alvaro Morata, who is understood to be unhappy with his bits and pieces role at Real Madrid and Torino striker Andrea Belotti, valued at a whopping €100m.
Recent reports emerging from Sky Germany and Daily Star point to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as a Chelsea target. The Bundesliga top-scorer, with 31 goals and two assists last season is reportedly on the move this summer and has attracted transfer speculation all over Europe.
Ligue 1 side, PSG were interested in securing the player’s services but the French side cooled their interest in the £63m rated star recently. The player is also attracting interest from AC Milan who are committed to rebuilding their debilitating side, bolstered by a bold Chinese takeover and have offered to make the Gabonese forward the highest paid in the Serie A, with a £136000 per week wage offer.
The 28-year-old reportedly wants £200000 per week, a figure Chelsea would be happy to match if the Borussia Dortmund star manages to replicate his prolific goal-scoring stats with the London club. Aubameyang took to Instagram earlier this week to post a photo of himself captioned, “ready for new adventures”. The move has set the rumour mills buzzing. The Dortmund star was also reportedly on the radar of erstwhile Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp.
Chelsea are looking to appease their Head Coach Antonio Conte after Manchester United gazumped the Lukaku deal. The manager had apparently made up his mind on the Belgian talisman and had asked the Chelsea board to get him at any cost. So the capture of Aubameyang could also serve as a peace offering.
The 28-year-old, who likes to cut inside in the 18-yard box could fit in seamlessly in Conte’s system that likes to hit the opposition on the counter owing to his agility. The forward is also known for his versatility and can play on either flank besides the No. 9 role that he is starring in currently for the Westfalenstadion outfit.
Besides playing a stellar role for Borussia in the Bundesliga, the Gabonese star followed it up with a class act in the Champions League as well returning impressive figures of 7 goals and an assist in 9 appearances. It remains to be seen whether Chelsea’s interest materialises into an actual deal for the player, who has also attracted a host of Chinese clubs replete with eye-watering wage offers. Keep watching this space for updated info on where Aubameyang chooses to ply his trade next season.
