Inter eye Aubameyang swoop as Chelsea plan contract termination

Inter Milan have set their sights on soon-to-be free agent Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with Chelsea planning to terminate the striker’s contract this summer.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Blues are furious with the 33-year-old forward after he was spotted celebrating last week’s El Clasico victory over Real Madrid with his former teammates at Barcelona.

The former Arsenal forward moved to Stamford Bridge after leaving Barca last summer but has struggled for playing time in west London.

The Gabonese forward has started just four of his 12 Premier League appearances and was also dropped by the club for the Champions League knockout phase.

Aubameyang’s relationship with Chelsea has since deteriorated, and his latest fiasco could see him leave the club earlier than expected despite his contract running until 2024.

Serie A giants Inter have been alerted of his possible availability and are plotting to snap up the former Borussia Dortmund star.

Inter’s financial situation means their priority targets are players they can sign on a free transfer, and Aubameyang could soon check that box for the Nerazzurri.

Inter have also been linked with a move for Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino, who has announced his desire to leave Anfield when his contract runs out at the end of the season.

Another soon-to-be free agent on Inter’s radar is Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram, amid reports that they are close to completing a deal for the striker.

Inter already have one Chelsea star in their squad – Romelu Lukaku. But his long-term future at the San Siro is uncertain after failing to replicate his previous form for the club.

Inter CEO Guiseppe Marotta has already addressed the striker’s future, claiming Lukaku will return to Chelsea when his loan deal expires.

However, it is understood that the stance could change if the player’s form improves significantly, and Lukaku could be on the verge of a comeback after bagging a hat-trick for Belgium against Sweden in Friday’s encounter.

Inter’s plans for Aubameyang will depend on what happens with Lukaku, although they will face competition for the Gabonese striker, with former club Barca also keen.