Chelsea have been handed major blow in their mission to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this summer despite Barcelona's well-documented financial troubles. The 33-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge as Thomas Tuchel looks to bolster his strike force following the departure of Romelu Lukaku.
football.london understand that the west Londoners are considering a move for the Gabon international. It's said that the Blues boss is eager to reunite with the striker who prospered under his stewardship at Borussia Dortmund.
Tuchel has specifically identified Aubameyang as a priority acquisition before the summer transfer window slams shut. football.london also understand that talks with Barcelona over the striker's sale are ongoing, though it remains to be seen whether the former Arsenal talisman favours a move to Chelsea.
READ MORE: Chelsea close to Aubameyang 'green light' as intermediary spotted in Barcelona
Regardless of whether the Blues are confident of completing a deal for Aubameyang, the west Londoners have a roadblock in their way. Speaking to Spanish outlet AS, Xavi has insisted that he has full confidence that he can count on the striker amid a potential exit.
"I count 100% on Auba", the Barcelona head coach said. It's believed that the Spaniard sees the striker as a key figure in the Catalan side's front-three this season - even following the arrival of Robert Lewandowski.
Barcelona need to trim their wage bill to allow £150million worth of summer signings to be registered ahead of the new campaign. As it stands, according to ESPN, Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie could leave for free if they're not registered before Saturday's LaLiga opener against Rayo Vallecano.
The report states that they will both be granted the option to execute a clause in their respective contracts that allow them to leave for free. So, with the club under pressure to unlock a windfall of cash to fund their latest arrivals, Barcelona executives could be forced to go against Xavi's wishes.
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