Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's brief Chelsea career appears to be heading to an abrupt end. The forward hasn't started a game since the World Cup or scored since October, and is seemingly being edged closer and closer to an exit from Stamford Bridge.
The deal to bring him to west London has been little short of a total failure. Just over a year since he left Arsenal to join Barcelona, the Gabon international is set for another move away from London, this time with a trip to Hollywood on the cards.
Due to the 33-year-old having already played for two clubs this season - he played for Barcelona before the transfer to Chelsea - there are a limited number of options available to him. Graham Potter's decision to leave him out of the Blues' Champions League squad for the knockout stages was the clearest indicator that his short term was about to be cut even shorter.
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Needing to cut one player from the squad in order to add three new signings it was Aubameyang's name that was left out. Having scored in back-to-back games against AC Milan before Christmas to all but secure the passage into the last-16, the drop off has been dramatic.
Now, with a transfer to MLS possible, LAFC have dropped a major hint at the impending deal. In a video posted on Twitter on Friday morning the club show a package arriving addressed to them with a baseball cap enclosed. Although it is cryptic, the wink face as a caption has added to the intrigue especially as Aubameyang is a man known for his style, including hats.
Fans eager to see a transfer go through have speculated that it is regarding Aubameyang's move but Fabrizio Romano has come out to say that the player is yet to give the thumbs up to a deal yet. He wrote on Twitter: "Chelsea and LAFC are still waiting for Pierre Emerick Aubameyang to decide on potential MLS move — it’s crucial step to proceed on loan deal.
"Chelsea, looking for solutions for Auba as MLS can be an option - but ‘green light’ on player side is still needed as of now."
Aubameyang hasn't played in either of Chelsea's last two matches and is unlikely to be involved against West Ham on Saturday either.
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