Aubameyang transfer ‘preference’ clear as Man Utd challenge Chelsea for ex-Arsenal star

ten Hag slams 'naive' Man Utd after defeat to Brentford

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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s transfer preference ahead of his potential Barcelona exit has emerged after Manchester United joined Chelsea in the hunt for his signature. Barcelona’s summer transfer business has opened the door to a surprise Premier League return before the deadline, with both United and Chelsea still searching for attacking reinforcements.

Aubameyang started life in Spain with a bang, scoring 11 times in his first 17 La Liga appearances, and Blaugrana boss Xavi Hernandez has publicly stated his desire to keep him in his plans. However, Robert Lewandowski’s £42.5million arrival from Barcelona severely threatens the 33-year-old’s game time this season.

Thomas Tuchel wants a reunion after their successful relationship at Borussia Dortmund, adding to Raheem Sterling’s arrival earlier in the summer. Chelsea are in talks with his camp, but Barcelona value him at £25m – a figure co-owner and interim chairman Todd Boehly doesn’t want to reach.

And as the Blues stall, a new suitor has arrived in the frame. According to the Telegraph, United have made contact over Aubameyang as he considers his future at the Nou Camp. However, the report adds that if he leaves Barcelona this summer, it would be for Chelsea, and talks are ongoing.

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When quizzed over Aubameyang’s potential Stamford Bridge switch last week, Tuchel wasn’t coy over his admiration for the Gabon international. And he admitted they still share a close bond from their days together at Dortmund and that he has ‘always stayed his player’ in some ways.

In a press conference around Chelsea’s feisty 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, he told reporters: “Some players stay your players because you were very, very close. And Auba is one of those players. There was always straight away this close bond. They always stay your players in a way.”

United seem to have scurried back to old transfer shortlists after failing to secure any of Erik ten Hag’s attacking targets this summer. The Dutchman wanted Darwin Nunez and Antony, but Liverpool moved quicker to seal an £85m deal for the former before Ajax priced United out of a move for the latter.

Other names Ten Hag is interested in, like Cody Gakpo and Sasa Kaladjzic, have been mooted in recent weeks. However, the re-emergence of strong links to the likes of Aubameyang and Alvaro Morata suggests the Old Trafford club are now in panic stations as September 1 looms larger.

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