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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Nearly Signed For Chelsea In The January Transfer Window

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Nearly Signed For Chelsea In The January Transfer Window

The Arsenal forward could have been lining up against them in today's FA Cup final but one thing ruled him out of a move to Chelsea.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang might have been in the Chelsea dressing room for today's FA Cup final, if he'd had things his way back in January.

The Arsenal captain has just one year left on his deal at the Emirates Stadium, and there's been lots of speculation about where his future lies, and it seems he wanted to head across London earlier this year.

According to the Daily Mail, contact was made to Chelsea from the player's representatives about a potential move. The report claims that only his wage demand, which would have made him the Blues highest ever earning player, put them off making an offer to Arsenal.

Aubameyang to Chelsea would have been a shocking move. Image: PA Images
Aubameyang to Chelsea would have been a shocking move. Image: PA Images

Frank Lampard's side were able to sign players in January, after having their transfer ban reduced to just one transfer window, and the club were trying to sign a forward.

The 31-year-old would have been the ideal signing for Lampard's team but it wouldn't have been an easy negotiation with their London rivals, with the Gunners still hopeful of keeping hold of the forward.

Wanting to become west London side's highest ever earner would have meant breaking the £200,000-a-week barrier that Eden Hazard reached when he was at Stamford Bridge.

The Gabon striker currently earns that in north London, according to Spotrac, but that doesn't make him close to the club's top earner, Mesut Ozil, who is on £350,000-a-week with Arsenal.

Aubameyang moved to Arenal from Borussia Dortmund for £56 million in 2018 and has been the club's best player since and was given the captain's armband earlier this season after Unai Emery fell out with former skipper Granit Xhaka.

Only Mohamed Salah has scored more goals in the Premier League since the former AC Milan man's arrival in England and Mikel Arteta will be desperate to keep hold of him and get him to sign a new deal.

That could be helped with a win in Saturday's final at Wembley as it would secure European football next season for the side.

Werner is hoping to be the next big hit to move to the Premier League from the Bundesliga. Image: PA Images
Werner is hoping to be the next big hit to move to the Premier League from the Bundesliga. Image: PA Images

If he doesn't sign a new deal then Arsenal are likely to cash in on him this summer rather than risk losing him for free next year.

Chelsea aren't going to be in for the player this time either though, they have already secured the signings of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner and Kai Havertz is expected to join.

Where do you think Aubameyang will be next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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Topics: Football News, Chelsea, Transfer stories, Transfer rumours, Premier League, FA Cup, Arsenal, Transfer news, Olivier Giroud, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Transfer reports