Chelsea open to letting Pierre Emerick Aubameyang leave on a free transfer amid interest from Barcelona

Barcelona’s hunt for a new striker has been well-documented, as they seek a reliable backup option for Robert Lewandowski in the upcoming season. Memphis Depay, who previously held this role, left for Atletico Madrid during the January transfer window, having played sparingly during the first half of the season. With Vitor Roque and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang being heavily linked, a deal for either of them has appeared to be complicated, as Barcelona is unlikely to be able to afford any transfer fees.

However, a new development has emerged, with reports from The Telegraph suggesting that Chelsea could be willing to let Aubameyang leave for free this summer, as they are eager to reduce their wage bill. This would be a major boost for Barcelona, as the Gabonese forward reportedly sees a return to Catalonia as his preferred option, having only joined Chelsea at the start of this season.

Despite this, wages remain a sticking point, as Aubameyang would need to take a significant pay cut to make a move to Barcelona a reality. Nonetheless, the removal of any transfer fee could prove to be a significant advantage for the Catalan giants in their pursuit of a new striker this summer. It remains to be seen whether or not Barcelona will be able to strike a deal with Aubameyang, but this latest development certainly increases their chances of doing so.