Chelsea have completed the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Barcelona for a reported €14m fee, with Marcos Alonso going the other way.
Aubameyang, a former Arsenal player, has signed a deal that runs until 2024 and has the option of one additional year.
The Blues were eager to strengthen their forward line, and identified Aubameyang as a good short-term option to bring to Stamford Bridge.
Alonso had also agreed personal terms with Barcelona for a number of months and a deal was finally struck on deadline day for both clubs to get their respective targets. Alonso has not been announced as a Barca player yet, however.
Aubameyang has signed a two-year contract with Chelsea, with the option of a further 12 months depending on appearances.
The 33-year-old will be out of action for his new club for the entirety of September after suffering a broken jaw during a home invasion.
Barcelona were keen to keep hold of Aubameyang having only brought him to the club in January, but they allowed the former Arsenal man to leave after Memphis Depay’s move to Juventus fell through.
Aubameyang and Tuchel have a good relationship
The Gabon forward previously worked with Thomas Tuchel at Borussia Dortmund, and is keen to reignite that relationship in the blue of Chelsea.
Aubameyang flourished under Tuchel at Dortmund: in the 2015-16 season, he had an incredible record of 39 goals and 12 assists in 49 appearances and in the following season, he scored 40 goals in 46 appearances.
In all, it accounted to 79 goals in 95 appearances when the pair were together at the Westfalenstadion, and showed the forward’s class as Europe’s top clubs were keeping an eye on him.
Tuchel spoke about the relationship the two had when asked about it a few weeks ago: “Aubameyang? At Dortmund it was a pleasure to coach him”
He continued: “We had a very close relationship and we always kept in touch when he played at Arsenal. They still remain your players in a way, and Auba is one of those guys.”
Aubameyang since had a stint at Arsenal – Chelsea’s London rivals – before moving to Barcelona on a free transfer in January 2022, where he made an immediate impact.
In 23 appearances in the second half of the 2021-22 campaign, he scored 13 goals, with his most famous performance coming in a 4-0 win over Real Madrid, where he scored twice and assisted once.
Barcelona will be happy with the fee they received for the player as it helps them register new signings while also bringing in a replacement for Jordi Alba in Alonso, after the veteran joined Inter on loan.
