By Victor Kanayo
There are strong indications that former Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be staging a bright return to the English Premier League (EPL) as Chelsea gradually close in on agreeing a deal with him.
The Blues as Chelsea are fondly known, are also targeting at least three signings before the transfer window closes.
Just as Barcelona striker Aubameyang, Chelsea are also continuing their attempts to prise Anthony Gordon from Everton and plotting a third bid for Leicester defender Wesley Fofana.
Chelsea began the season with a win at Everton and encouraging performance as they drew against Tottenham, though Sunday’s heavy 3-0 defeat at Leeds underlined their need for further reinforcements.
Chelsea have navigated their opening three games without a senior, out-and-out striker having loaned Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan and sold Timo Werner back to RB Leipzig with Aubameyang emerging as the leading candidate to fill the void.
Talks are progressing positively over a deal worth around £20m that would see Aubameyang, 33, reunited with his former Borussia Dortmund boss Tuchel.
Aubameyang’s personal terms are not expected to present any obstacles. Aubameyang scored 79 goals in just 95 games under Tuchel in Germany.
Negotiations are ongoing with Everton over Chelsea’s move for Gordon, 21, who is keen to move to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have had four approaches for Gordon turned down, the highest understood to be £45m plus a further £5m in add-ons. Everton want a fee in excess of £50m for England.
An improved offer for Fofana is also expected after Leicester rejected two Chelsea bids of £60m and £65m for the French centre-back.
Leicester’s initial ‘not for sale’ stance has softened though they still want a world record fee for a defender of over £80m.
Fofana has already agreed personal terms with Chelsea and he was left out of Leicester’s 2-1 defeat to Southampton on Saturday as he was deemed to not be in ‘the right frame of mind’ to play, in a further boost to the London club’s hopes of securing his signature.
Chelsea have made six summer signings worth in excess of a combined £190m but recouped some money via Werner’s £25m sale and around £11m in loan fees for Lukaku and Malang Sarr.
