Chelsea ready to terminate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's contract after Clasico visit

Chelsea forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could be set to have his contract at the club terminated, despite only joining them last summer.

It has not been a good time for Aubameyang, who left Barcelona to return to the Premier League, just six months after moving to La Liga.

He was signed by Thomas Tuchel, with the pair reuniting after their successful spell together at Borussia Dortmund, but the German was soon sacked and replaced by Graham Potter.

His form was way off what was expected, and he was soon dropped out of the first team, leading to claims he could return to Barca in January.

That move, or any other, never materialised, leaving the Gabon striker stuck at Stamford Bridge with no increase in his game time.

Potter hasn't even used the former Arsenal man whilst the team have been struggling, usually down to their lack of goals, which has undoubtedly not gone down well.

With plenty of time on his hands, Aubameyang was seen celebrating in the Barcelona dressing room at the weekend, as they beat Real Madrid in the latest Clasico.

According to Goal, the trip hasn't gone down too well in west London, and the Blues are now ready to terminate his contract in the summer, and allow him to leave a year early.

Aubameyang hasn't played much this season. Image: Alamy

The report claims it's unlikely that the termination would happen before the end of the current campaign, presumably so Potter could still use him in an emergency.

That would seem unlikely, considering the manager left the 33-year-old striker out of his Champions League squad earlier in the year.

Aubameyang has also only made 18 appearances for the team so far, with only 12 of those coming in the league, scoring three times.

The forward has reportedly not had any contact with Barca president Joan Laporta about a return to the Catalan giants, but has not shied away from his desire.

He only joined them in January 2022, after having his deal at Arsenal terminated, and scored 13 goals in just 23 matches during his short time in Spain.

Xavi would no doubt welcome him back, though the club's financial issues remain, as problems with registering Gavi continue to prove.