The two teams announced Thursday that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has signed a two-year deal to return to the Premier League with Chelsea.
The move was revealed far after the 2200 GMT (midnight SA time) deadline, but Chelsea filed the necessary papers to the Premier League on time when the former Arsenal forward landed in London on Thursday night.
Chelsea reportedly spent $11.94 million to acquire Aubameyang, who had flourished under Thomas Tuchel at Borussia Dortmund, in order to improve their front line.
“I am quite delighted. It is a privilege to be a member of this team, and I cannot wait to get started. I have unfinished business with the Premier League, therefore it is great to return “Aubameyang stated in a statement.
Chelsea and Barcelona have struck a deal for the transfer of striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pic.twitter.com/vpYmhJMJPM>.
September 1, 2022 — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL)
Aubameyang scored 13 goals in 24 appearances for Barcelona, but he was surplus to requirements when the club bought Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich and needed to transfer players to meet with LaLiga’s financial regulations.
Aubameyang has Premier League experience, having played for Chelsea’s London rivals Arsenal for four years and scored 92 goals in all competitions.
The 33-year-old was the joint-leading scorer in the league in 2018-19 and guided Arsenal to the FA Cup triumph the following season.
However, the Gabon international had a disciplinary dispute with Arsenal and their manager Mikel Arteta last season. Before moving to Barcelona in February, his contract was cancelled and he was stripped of the captaincy.
Chelsea have been without a recognized striker since Romelu Lukaku went to Inter Milan on loan and Timo Werner returned to RB Leipzig over the offseason.
Chelsea also confirmed the loan signing of Switzerland international Denis Zakaria from Juventus, with the option to make the central midfielder’s stay permanent at the conclusion of the season.
N’Golo Kante’s hamstring injury is expected to sideline him for many weeks, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek is also injured, according to Tuchel. As a result, Chelsea need midfield reinforcements.
The London club, which is tenth after five games, has added a number of notable players, including Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly, during the summer window.
According to media reports, fullback Marcos Alonso, who joined Chelsea in 2016 for approximately 23 million pounds and had one year remaining on his contract, has joined Barcelona as part of the deal.
Reuters
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