Medias are reporting that Chelsea’s search for a Diego Costa replacement may head in the direction of Dortmund and Gabon international Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Blues are obviously in the market for a striker with last season’s top scorer Costa seemingly in exile.
It seems that every major club in England has had an interest in both Torino star Andrea Belotti and Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata this summer, Chelsea are no different.
However, Aubameyang may just be the man to replace the feisty Costa for next season.
Aubameyang available this summer
According to Sky, the striker could be available for £70million. In normal circumstances that would be a major fee. However, by this summer’s crazy fees it may not prove to be that much money for one of the most prolific strikers in the European game in recent seasons.
Dortmund seems almost resigned to losing the striker. Understandably, they do not want to lose their star striker this summer. Talking about Aubameyang, BVB’s chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke told Sky Sports: “We will wait a few more days but not long anymore,”
“I would personally prefer if he stays, but there are a few clubs on this planet where he can obviously earn more.”
Aubameyang is reportedly angling for a move. The likes of big spending AC Milan, Liverpool and French club PSG have a reported interested in signing the star. A move to the Premier League champions could prove a tempting one, though.
Highly prolific striker
Aubameyang has been highly prolific for Dortmund for the last four seasons. In fact, each season he has bettered his goalscoring record in the Bundesliga. Last season was his most prolific yet in Germany, as he scored 31 times in 32 appearances. Meanwhile the striker also scored seven times in the Champions League.
No doubt, he is a highly effective striker in front of goal. Aubameyang’s main strength is his pace, but he also has a poacher’s instinct in front of goal. There will be the inevitable question marks if he can be as prolific in another league.
However, in terms of likeness, the German Bundesliga is as close to the Premier League in style as any league in the world. Aubameyang’s attributes would for me translate easily into goals in the English top-flight.
At 28, the Gabon international is at the peak of his powers, as was proven by his scoring record last season. The striker seems to be getting better with age and more game time at the top level of the game.
Chelsea the favourites to sign the striker
It now seems clear that Chelsea are the favourites to sign Aubameyang. The striker is now odds of 4/6 to be a Blues player by the time the summer transfer window shuts.
Chelsea find themselves in a difficult position this summer. They look set to lose their top scorer in Diego Costa and have no replacement lined up. Signing Aubameyang could well prove to be the solution for the Blues.
The Blues will struggle to get anywhere near the Premier League title next season without a top striker. It will be highly interesting to see if Chelsea still thrives next season without the combative Costa in attack, assuming the Brazilian-born star does leave the club. Costa’s hold-up play and goals were one of the keys to the Blues title triumph last season.
For me, Aubameyang may well be the best striking option available to Chelsea this summer. As a Premier League fan, I do believe he would be a good addition to the Chelsea team and an exciting addition to the league as a whole.
