LAFC in negotiations with Chelsea to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Los Angeles Football Club want to sign Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and have started negotiations, according to Relevo.

The Major League Soccer (MLS) club wants to sign the former Borussia Dortmund forward after Chelsea coach Graham Potter took him out of Chelsea’s Champions League squad for the remainder of the campaign. 

Potter followed that decision by dropping Aubameyang for their 0-0 draw against Fulham on Friday. The France-born striker has not done anything wrong and was disappointed at the decisions.

However, a move to America is in the works for the 33-year-old. MLS clubs can still sign players despite the closure of the European transfer market. There are other open markets, and players can still move around.

If LAFC’s negotiations are successful, Aubameyang will join Juventus legend Girorgio Chiellini in the North American league. Gareth Bale also spent his last days as a professional footballer with LAFC.

Aubameyang could have rejoined Barcelona in the final days of the European transfer window. The Catalans were looking for a backup striker, with Memphis Depay joining Atletico Madrid. But rules of The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) prevented him from being registered twice by the same club in one season. 

Aubameyang joined Chelsea this summer from Barcelona after netting 20 goals in the 2021/22 campaign. He scored seven for Arsenal before leaving for Spain in January, where he scored another 13.

Former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel encouraged the club’s new owners to pursue his former striker. They paid €10 million to sign him.

But Aubameyang has not lived up to his reputation upon his return to London. Chelsea have barely provided him service, and he has looked out of sorts chasing the game isolated in front.

The former Gabon international has only scored three goals in 17 appearances for the Blues. He will be looking for an escape route after a nightmarish time with the club that has ended on a sour note.