Exiled Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is weighing up interest from Major League Soccer (MLS) side Los Angeles FC.
The 33-year-old forward’s future at Stamford Bridge is in major doubt after he was left out of Graham Potter’s squad for the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Aubameyang had interest from Spain and Italy last month but could not move because he has already played for two clubs this season, having made one appearance for Barcelona before joining Chelsea in September.
But the MLS provides a loophole to that FIFA rule, with what is considered their 2023 season due to start in February and the transfer window in the United States open until April 24.
LAFC are reportedly considering a move for Aubameyang as a replacement for Gareth Bale, who scored their winner in the MLS Cup Final last season but retired from football last month.
But it is understood that Aubameyang would need convincing to move to the States, and still sees himself as a top-level player.
Aubameyang has been left disappointed by Chelsea’s decision last week to dump him from their 25-man squad for the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Blues boss Potter subsequently left him out of their 0-0 draw with Fulham in the Premier League on Friday night.
An exit from Chelsea is almost certain for Aubameyang over the next six months, despite insistence from Potter that the forward has “done nothing wrong at all”.
After being left out of the Champions League squad, Aubameyang travelled to Milan for a sanctioned two-day break with his family.
Hakim Ziyech, who almost left Chelsea on loan to Paris Saint-Germain before his move collapsed on deadline day, was selected ahead of Aubameyang in the squad to face Borussia Dortmund in the last 16.
Others chosen ahead of him include 19-year-old Carney Chukwuemeka and third-choice goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli.
Aubameyang and Jorginho, who left Chelsea for Arsenal on deadline day, were left out to make room for new signings Enzo Fernandez, Mykhailo Mudryk and Joao Felix.
Due to UEFA rules, Potter also had to leave out four other January arrivals, including in-form defender Benoit Badiashile and winger Noni Madueke.
