Barcelona are supposedly open to parting ways with striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this summer amid interest from Chelsea.
The 33-year-old endured a torrid final few weeks at Arsenal in 2021, being stripped of the captaincy and frozen out of the group under Mikel Arteta.
Aubameyang's contract was ultimately terminated to allow him to move to Barcelona on a free transfer, and he was in prolific form for Xavi's side in the second half of last season.
Aubameyang scored 13 goals and provided one assist in 23 games for La Blaugrana, with 11 of his strikes coming in 17 La Liga matches.
The former Borussia Dortmund man remains under contract with Barcelona until the summer of 2025, but the Catalans are under pressure to make sales in order to register their new signings.
© Reuters
Former Dortmund head coach Thomas Tuchel has supposedly taken an interest in bringing Aubameyang back to the Premier League with Chelsea, who are on the lookout for an out-and-out striker.
Previous reports had claimed that Barcelona were not prepared to let Aubameyang leave, with Xavi considering the Gabon international to be an integral part of his squad on and off the pitch.
However, The Mirror now states that Barcelona have performed a U-turn on their stance and are prepared to let Aubameyang sign for Chelsea in the current window.
The report adds that Xavi would still rather keep the veteran striker at the club, but the powers-that-be are open to a sale given their desperate need to balance the books.
Barcelona have already reinforced their attack with the signings of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha this summer, as well as bringing in Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie.
Ousmane Dembele, Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati are also primed to compete for starts in Xavi's XI next term, which could see the Blaugrana's attacking ranks cut down dramatically.
© Reuters
Martin Braithwaite is expected to be one of the first names on the chopping block, but the Denmark international is supposedly refusing to let Barcelona terminate his contract without receiving a severance package.
Memphis Depay is also being tipped to head for the exit door after a difficult second half of the 2021-22 season, with Juventus now said to be leading the race for the Dutchman.
Barcelona have already sold Riqui Puig, Moussa Wague, Ferran Jutgla, Rey Manaj and Oscar Mingueza this summer, as well as waving goodbye to Dani Alves, Adama Traore and Luuk de Jong.
The likes of Neto, Samuel Umtiti and Miralem Pjanic could also leave in the coming weeks, but the latter could allegedly be handed a lifeline by Xavi.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have allowed Romelu Lukaku to rejoin Inter Milan on loan for the 2022-23 season, and Timo Werner has supposedly told the club that he wants to leave amid rumours of a return to RB Leipzig.
Barca beat Chelsea to the signings of Raphinha and Kounde earlier in the window, but the two clubs could still conduct business with one another before the window slams shut, and a deal for the Blaugrana to sign Marcos Alonso is thought to be edging closer to completion after Chelsea confirmed the arrival of Marc Cucurella from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Ben Knapton
