Barcelona desperate to sign ex-player on free transfer this summer

22 March, 2023

FC Barcelona are keen on bringing back Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the team at the end of this season on a free transfer. Aubameyang had left Arsenal to join Barcelona a couple of seasons ago, but due to the financial turmoil at the Catalonian club, Aubameyang was left frustrated with his payments and decided to come back to England. 

Aubameyang had joined Arsenal’s London rivals Chelsea, a move that didn’t sit very well with the Gunners fans, but they ultimately didn’t bother much as Arsenal are in a title race this season while Aubameyang is not having the best of time under Graham Potter, who has not considered him as a first-choice No. 9 despite not having any other direct striker options. 

Aubameyang was lured to join the Blues as he wanted to reunite with his former Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel. But new ownership led by Todd Boehly surprisingly sacked the German manager, who was instrumental in taking the club to their second Champions League glory in 2021. Since then, the Gabonese striker has spent more time on the bench. 

Barcelona are now considering bringing him back as a back-up option for Robert Lewandowski. Although the Polish striker has been in sensational form and continued his Bayern Munich heroics in Spain, the departure of Memphis Depay to Atletico Madrid left the club with far fewer options at the top. 

Aubameyang might also have to take a pay cut to become a Barcelona player once again, as the cash-strapped club cannot afford to spend big on new arrivals.

Chelsea had a deal to sell the former Borussia Dortmund striker to Major League Soccer (MLS) club LAFC in the winter. However, Aubameyang refused to move, choosing to remain at the club at least till the end of the 2022-23 season. Apart from the Blaugrana, AC Milan and Atletico Madrid are also believed to be interested in the striker’s services.

After failing to make Potter’s squad for Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Everton on Saturday (March 18), Aubameyang watched El Clasico at the Camp Nou on Sunday. He also joined his former club in the dressing room as they celebrated their 2-1 victory over Real Madrid. Find fresh sports news and explore the sports betting world with Nextbet