Todd Boehly could be making more reservations for a 'great meal' this week as key talks for one of Chelsea's biggest remaining transfer targets continue.
The Blues remain optimistic about completing up to four transfers still in the remaining fifteen days of the transfer window, with Italian prodigy Cesare Casadei due to have his medical at the club, making there still a possible three more deals to be done. Of those three, there is an expectation that Boehly won't back down in the fight to sign Leicester City centre-back Wesley Fofana, whilst Anthony Gordon also pushes for a move away from Everton, though he could cost up to £50m.
If those two deals were wrapped up, then five of Chelsea's eight summer signings would be under the age of 21. One of their forward targets is outside that bracket, though, and would be a much shorter-term option for Thomas Tuchel.
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In Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Chelsea has looked for one of the more rogue options in the summer transfer window. The Blues look to be trying to pounce on not only Barcelona's financial turmoil but also Tuchel's previous relationship with a player with a comparable record to Kylian Mbappe under the German.
The 33-year-old is seen as a way to enhance Chelsea's short-term options, allowing them some more clinical finishing this season and not congesting the squad to deter Armando Broja from staying. The Albanian striker has made two appearances from the bench so far this campaign and is expected to push Kai Havertz hard for a spot this year.
Aubameyang, who would be more of an out-and-out striker than Havertz or Raheem Sterling, is also not just fixed to being a physical No.9. The former-Arsenal captain is still able to play as part of a fluid front-three, a system that Tuchel is still wanting to use this season, hence looking at Gordon who offers speed and energy on the wing and also flexibility to play at wingback.
The only catch so far has been the structure of any deal that is being negotiated for Aubameyang. Chelsea appear willing to enter talks for a permanent deal, but the £25m price tag being put on the player has so far been a deterrent for the deal progressing, but that could be about to change, as reported by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
"Chelsea have scheduled new round of talks with Pierre Aubameyang's camp this week."
He went on to tweet, "Todd Boehly wants to understand conditions of the deal also on personal terms, then it will be time to submit a bid to Barça.
"Barça want around €30m. Xavi, still pushing to keep Auba."
The Gabon striker was part of Barcelona's 0-0 opening day draw against Rayo Vallecano, coming off the bench, and has only recently moved to Spain after being offloaded by Mikel Arteta in January. This hasn't stopped talks of a move, though, and despite his previous fiery relationships at Arsenal, Tuchel still thinks he can handle his former player.
If Chelsea are to add Aubameyang, then it would be another statement to back up the for immediate success, even after a volatile pre-season, but it could help boost an attack that is yet to score this season.
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