Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel says that he regards Barcelona forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as 'one of his players'.
The Blues have been heavily linked with a move for the Gabon international, who only departed Arsenal for Camp Nou as recently as January.
At a time when the Catalan giants may reduce their wage bill with the exits of Aubameyang or Memphis Depay, Chelsea have parted ways with Timo Werner.
Tuchel is no stranger to working with Aubameyang with the player enjoying the most productive period of his career with the German in charge at Borussia Dortmund.
Between 2015 and 2017, Aubameyang netted 79 goals for the Bundesliga side in all competitions before Tuchel left Westfalenstadion in May 2017.
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Although Tuchel was keen to play down any links with the 33-year-old, he opted to open up on his past relationship with the striker at his pre-match press conference ahead of the meeting with Tottenham Hotspur.
Speaking to reporters, Tuchel said: "I enjoyed a lot working with him, it was a pleasure. This has nothing to do with the situation now, but some players stay your players because you were very, very close and Auba is one of those players.
"We had a very close relationship. Always when he played here with Arsenal, it was straight away this close bond. They always stay your players in a way and Auba is one of those players."
Earlier in the press conference, Tuchel acknowledged that he was keen to make further additions to his squad during the final 20 days of the transfer window.
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Tuchel added: "I think we can strengthen our squad in depth but, you know, it is one thing that you wish for and another what is possible.
"It needs to be possible. We are looking for top quality, top personalities, good characters and real competitors on the highest level. You don't always get what you wish for. We are calm, but ambitious at the same time.
"There are still quite some days to go until the end of the transfer period and everything is possible until the end."
Chelsea continue to be linked with a new centre-back with Leicester City's Wesley Fofana said to be at the top of their shortlist.
As it stands, however, it is unclear whether the Foxes will be prepared to sell the Frenchman unless they receive a bid in the region of £80m.
Darren Plant
