CHELSEA have submitted a bid for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and offered Marcos Alonso to Barcelona in exchange, according to reports.
Barca have been linked with a move for Alonso for much of the summer after already pinching Andreas Christensen off the Blues.
And though Chelsea previously ended negotiations to sell Alonso to the Catalans, they have now offered up the Spaniard along with £15million to sign Aubameyang, report The Athletic.
And it is believed negotiating personal terms with the striker will not be a problem, with Aubameyang opting to join Chelsea over Manchester United.
But the Gabon international is happy at the Nou Camp and would like to stay – with manager Xavi also wanting to keep hold of the star.
However Barcelona need to sell to ease their financial turmoil and wish to remove his £80,000 a week salary from their wage bill.
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The Spanish giants are believed to want around £21m to let Aubameyang go, but could be enticed by the opportunity to sign Alonso.
Barca were thought to be close to completing a move for Alonso earlier this week after Chelsea accepted a £6m bid.
And the left-back has reportedly agreed a three-year contract with Barca after speaking directly to Xavi about the switch.
But the transfer cannot be completed until Barcelona register new signing Jules Kounde.
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That will only be possible if the club reduces its wage bill – which means Aubameyang may have to be sold first.
Fellow summer signings Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen have finally been successfully registered with LaLiga following a lengthy delay.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
