Aubameyang makes Barcelona transfer stance clear amid Chelsea interest

Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang has made it clear that he wants to stay at Barcelona this summer, according to reports.

The 33-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea with Thomas Tuchel keen to bolster his forward line before the transfer window slams shut on September 1. Aubameyang has been mentioned as a possible target, after he scored 68 Premier League goals for Arsenal in his four-year spell at the Emirates Stadium.

According to Toni Juanmartí, Barcelona have rejected a €14million bid from Chelsea for the experienced forward. The Catalan giants want €20m for the Gabon international, who only joined the club in January on a free transfer after Arsenal terminated his contract.

However, it is understood Aubameyang does not want to leave Barcelona and is keen to fight for his place following the arrival of Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich. Mundo Deportivo report that Aubameyang is happy in Catalonia and does not see his long-term future away from the club.

This is despite reportedly being told that he will have a 'secondary' role at Barcelona this season, with Lewandowski, Raphinha, Ousmane Dembele and Ferran Torres all ahead of him in the pecking order. Chelsea are prepared to make him their main man up front after Romelu Lukaku re-joined Inter Milan on loan.

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Barcelona are keen to sell Aubameyang as they see it as a way to free up funds to finance the proposed signing of Bernardo Silva from Manchester City. Xavi Hernandez considers the Portuguese international as a priority and believes he would give his squad an even greater leap in quality.

Bernardo has been left on the City bench for their opening two Premier League matches, and came on as a second-half substitute in their 4-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday. This could indicate that Pep Guardiola is preparing for life without the midfielder, with Barcelona keen.

With Frenkie de Jong also adamant to stay at Barcelona amid links with Chelsea and Manchester United, Barcelona may have to shift Aubameyang on to free up money for incomings. United have also been linked with the player, with Erik ten Hag hoping to add another forward to his squad before the deadline.

Darwin Nunez and Erling Haaland were both in the conversation at the start of the window, before the former joined Liverpool for a fee in the region of £85million and Haaland made the switch to Manchester City. Benjamin Sesko had emerged as a possible signing, but he has opted to join RB Leipzig from RB Salzburg.