Aubameyang wants to return to Barcelona after a poor spell at Chelsea

Lucas Telles May 10, 2023

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After being excluded from the Arsenal team for disciplinary reasons last season, Gabon international Aubameyang moved to Barcelona in February 2022, scoring 13 goals in 23 games during his first season at the club.

Despite their well-publicized financial troubles, the Catalan giants still managed to sign Robert Lewandowski, with Aubameyang allowed to leave in a deal worth around £10 million to reunite with Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea. The duo had previously worked together during their time at Borussia Dortmund, although the German coach was quickly sacked just five games into the Premier League season.

Aubameyang started the Graham Potter era brightly, scoring three times in other games in October, though he later fell down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge and was even left out of the club’s Champions League squad for the knockout phase, despite his chronic struggles in front of goal.

Aubameyang return Barcelona

Since then, he has been restored to the team under the interim management of Frank Lampard, although the 33-year-old player is expected to be allowed to leave the club this summer as Chelsea tries to reduce a massively bloated squad of over 30 players.

Aubameyang has now reportedly set his sights on a return to Barcelona, where he enjoyed a successful spell in the second half of the 2021/22 season. The Spanish giants are said to be open to the possibility of re-signing the striker, who is still highly regarded at the Camp Nou.

However, it remains to be seen whether the clubs can agree on a fee for the player, with Barcelona’s financial constraints likely to be a major obstacle. Aubameyang still has two years left on his contract with Chelsea, and the London club may demand a higher transfer fee to help offset their own financial losses.

Nonetheless, with Barcelona in desperate need of a proven goalscorer and Aubameyang keen to reignite his career at the Camp Nou, a move back to Catalonia could prove to be mutually beneficial for both player and club.