BARCELONA manager Xavi has reportedly shut down talk of Chelsea target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaving this summer.
The former Arsenal captain, 33, has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge just eight months after arriving at the Nou Camp.
It comes as Thomas Tuchel searches for a replacement for Romelu Lukaku – who returned to Inter Milan on loan after a difficult 12 months with the Blues.
However, Xavi now appears to have poured cold water on an Aubameyang-Chelsea link-up.
According to Sport, the club have no intention of selling him in the current window.
Despite the arrival of Robert Lewandowski, Xavi believes the pair can co-exist within the squad and even link-up together in certain matches.
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The report also states that Aubameyang does not want to leave as he fought hard to secure the move to Barcelona and wishes to fight for his place.
Aubameyang netted 13 goals in the second half of last season, making him the club’s joint top scorer despite not being with them for the first half of the campaign.
And he will have more firepower alongside him this season in the form of Lewandowski and Raphinha.
But one man who looks set to be shown the exit door is Dutch forward Memphis Depay.
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The former Lyon star seems to be surplus to requirements and has been linked with Juventus and Tottenham.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are continuing to search for another attacker to add to the signing of Raheem Sterling.
The Premier League side are rumoured to be interested in RB Salzburg man Benjamin Sesko.
However, he will reportedly set them back around £55million, with Man Utd and Newcastle also in the race.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
