Chelsea are looking increasingly unlikely to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Anthony Gordon before the end of the summer transfer window, according to reports.
Thomas Tuchel wants to add to his attacking line and moves for Aubameyang and Gordon looked on, but with days until the window closes, the chances of both are getting slimmer and slimmer as the deadline approaches.
Talks with Barcelona have been ongoing for several weeks over Aubameyang and no deal has yet been agreed despite offers being made, none of which have been deemed acceptable.
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Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez wants to keep the Gabon international but Chelsea have been pushing, however to no avail so far.
Now, as reported by David Ornstein of The Athletic, Chelsea are now having second thoughts about Aubameyang due to his age and salary demands.
The 33-year-old is expecting a high salary and Chelsea would want to include performance incentives in his contract.
Should Aubameyang not make the switch back to the capital after leaving Arsenal back in January, a move for Gordon from Everton looked to be the obvious choice. However, after Everton manager Frank Lampard stated there is a deadline in place, a move for the 21-year-old is also looking slim, continues David Ornstein.
“We have drawn a red line,” Lampard said last week. “It is very difficult. I got asked last week. Will he be here at the end of the window? It was an impossible question to answer, really.
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“But I am working to try and put a squad together.
“There absolutely has to come a time where we understand what the squad is going to be, especially a player of the level of Anthony.
“I have to know he is going be here and the good thing is here at the club, myself and everybody involved upstairs has the same kind of thinking.
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“I won't say where it (the cut-off point) is, but I think you understand I am getting very close to it.”
Chelsea submitted a £50 million plus-add ons offer for Gordon, with the youngster keen on a move to play Champions League football and increase his chances of making the 2022 England World Cup squad.
The valuation between the clubs is substantial, with Manchester United making a late enquiry, making it unlikely that a transfer will materialise unless a compromise is quickly reached.
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With Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi both on their way out, adding to the departures of Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner, Chelsea could look short in the attacking department.
Who they turn their attention to remains to be seen in the final days of the window. They have been linked with Wilfried Zaha. It’s set to be a long few days before Thursday’s 11pm (BST) deadline.
Topics: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Chelsea, Everton, Premier League, Barcelona, Transfers
Matthew Debono