Chelsea set Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang asking price amid Barcelona interest

Add as preferred source on Google

Chelsea have reportedly set a €15m (£12m) asking price for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang amid growing transfer interest from FC Barcelona.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the Blues are open to selling the 33-year-old attacker this summer, though they will not be willing to release Aubameyang from his contract, with Chelsea now setting a £12m asking price for the former Gabon international.

As per the report, Aubameyang is keen to return to Barcelona with Xavi Hernandez’s side also eager to bring the veteran striker back to Catalonia. However, the general opinion around such a transfer had always been that Chelsea would have allowed the forward to leave Stamford Bridge for free.

Now, though, Chelsea are demanding a transfer fee for the attacker, with the Blues aiming to sell Aubameyang for the same price former manager Thomas Tuchel signed the striker for in the summer transfer window last year, even with the former Arsenal man failing to impress this season.

Indeed, Chelsea have always been shrewd negotiators in the transfer war room under former director Marina Granovskaia. However, the Blues could be for a rude awaking this summer, and especially in talks to offload Aubameyang.

Chelsea are kidding themselves with £12m Aubameyang asking price

Few clubs these days will be willing to sign a 33-year-old for £12m at least the player in question was a sure banker. However, with Aubameyang scoring just three goals in all competitions, Chelsea are kidding themselves if they think they can recoup what they spent on the striker last year.

Whilst Chelsea might have got away with such an outcome under Granovskaia, this is a different club on essentially every level, and the Blues could have to accept that the best way to offload Aubameyang will be slashing the asking price my well over half.