In January, Chelsea player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was reported to have attracted interest from Milan and Atlético Madrid, but FIFA rules prevented the Blues from leaving the club.
A little about the topic
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang only moved to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2022, but had already sunk so low in the west London pecking order that he was left out of Chelsea‘s 25-player Champions League squad. A move to another location was discussed during the winter transfer window and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was keen to find regular playing time.
La Liga giants Atlético were reportedly keen, as were Serie A heavyweights the Rossoneri, but the Gabonese striker has already found himself behind the Blues and Barça in the 2022-23 campaign and FIFA rules prevent a player from representing more than two teams in the same season. A return to the Camp Nou could have been put into action, with Pierre-Emerick previously hitting 13 goals through 24 appearances for Barcelona, but the League outfit was unable to negotiate a deal due to Financial Fair Play concerns.
The Blues are working with a 33-man lineup on the back of a busy January window that saw seven players brought in and only one dropped out, with Pierre-Emerick left out entirely in a 0-0 derby with the Cottagers for the last time.
MLS Cup winners Los Angeles FC have opened talks with the Blues’ Gabonese player following his Champions League side.
How was everything?
Current MLS Cup winners Los Angeles FC have shown interest in Pierre-Emerick and are in talks over a potential deal to sign the Chelsea player, according to a Spanish agency. The news comes after it was confirmed that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been left out of the Blues’ revamped Champions League squad amid an influx of new signings at Stamford Bridge.
The report claims that the two clubs are in talks over the transfer of the Gabonese player, who will be eligible to register with the LAFC in MLS despite having already played for the Blues and Barça this season. La Blaugrana showed interest in bringing him back for a second spell after Memphis Depay’s left, but was unable to do so due to RFEF rules.
There is information that LAFC will likely have to do a loan deal first to bring spending down to their budget cap. The signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also represents a sharp move away from a more cost-effective striker like Arango for a riskier signing. Despite the need for L.A. side as a striker, Pierre-Emerick has managed just three goals in all competitions so far this season.
The Gabonese striker has started just four times for the Blues this season and continues to play a smaller role under Potter, who took over from Tuchel as head coach last September. LAFC currently have Giorgio Chiellini on their playing roster and were Gareth Bale’s last club before his retirement, highlighting their ability to sign some of football’s biggest names.
What will happen after that for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang?
Due to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang operating on a different schedule for European football, the MLS transfer window has just opened, so LAFC has plenty of time to secure a line deal before their season when the defending champions kick off on Feb. 26.