One notable absence from the transfer news involving Chelsea this summer is the name of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The 34-year-old striker has been linked to potential moves to Saudi Arabian clubs, but Chelsea’s attempts to push him towards an exit have been unsuccessful thus far.
While Chelsea has successfully sold players like Édouard Mendy, N’Golo Kanté, and Kalidou Koulibaly to Saudi teams, negotiations involving Aubameyang have not progressed to the final stages. With little market interest in an aging striker who had a modest impact last season, moving Aubameyang out of Stamford Bridge is challenging, particularly considering his reported £160,000-per-week wages.
The Stagnant Negotiations: Unlike other players at Chelsea, Aubameyang’s potential exit has not generated significant news. According to reports, the Blues are adamant about offloading the striker to a Saudi Arabian club, but negotiations have not reached their final stages. While players like Hakim Ziyech came close to sealing deals before medical issues arose, Aubameyang’s situation has not progressed as expected. These underwhelming performances, coupled with his substantial wages, complicate Chelsea’s task of finding a suitable transfer destination.
The Struggles Of Selling An Aging Striker That Chelsea Currently Faces
Aubameyang’s age and declining form pose significant challenges when it comes to finding a market for his services. At 34, he is no longer considered a long-term investment for potential suitors. His limited playing time and modest goal-scoring record from the previous season further dampen his market value. European clubs are hesitant to take on a player with such diminishing returns, especially considering his reported high wages. This combination of factors makes it difficult for Chelsea to secure a suitable transfer for Aubameyang.
The Wage Factor: One major stumbling block in Aubameyang’s potential exit from Chelsea is his hefty wage package. The reported £160,000-per-week wages make him an expensive asset for any potential buyer. It narrows down the pool of clubs that can afford to match his salary expectations, particularly in light of his declining performances. These high wages further limit the options available to Chelsea in finding a suitable destination for Aubameyang and contribute to the stagnation in negotiations.
The Dwindling European Interest: Given Aubameyang’s age, limited playing time, and declining form, European clubs have shown little to no interest in acquiring him. Strikers in their mid-30s who have not delivered significant contributions are not sought after in the European transfer market. Aubameyang’s lackluster performances last season have made potential suitors cautious, as they seek more productive and cost-effective options to bolster their attacking lineups. This lack of European interest further complicates Chelsea’s efforts to find a suitable transfer for Aubameyang.
The Complex Task Ahead
Moving Aubameyang out of Stamford Bridge presents a challenging task for Chelsea. The combination of his age, limited playing time, underwhelming performances, and high wages creates a difficult environment for negotiating his exit. While Chelsea has successfully offloaded other players to Saudi Arabian clubs, the process has proven more challenging with Aubameyang. The club will need to navigate these complexities and potentially reassess its approach to find a resolution that satisfies all parties involved.
Conclusion: The absence of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s name from the transfer news surrounding Chelsea is notable. Despite Chelsea’s attempts to push him towards an exit, negotiations have not progressed to the final stages. Aubameyang’s age, declining performances, and high wages present significant obstacles in finding a suitable transfer destination. European clubs have shown little interest in acquiring an aging striker with limited playing time and modest contributions.
The complex task of moving Aubameyang out of Stamford Bridge requires Chelsea to carefully navigate these challenges. As the transfer saga unfolds, Chelsea will need to explore alternative strategies to resolve the situation and find a satisfactory outcome for all parties involved.