Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s nightmarish Premier League comeback appears to be nearing an end, with the attacker set to join LAFC.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is reportedly very close to a move away from Stamford Bridge
According to Le10Sport, the ex-Gabon striker is reportedly very close to joining the MLS outfit on loan after a deal was agreed, with the club expected to make a massive saving by getting his £7.9million-a-year wages off their books.
Aubameyang had looked to be short of options in order to earn a departure form Stamford Bridge, having already played for two clubs this season as per FIFA rules.
However, with the MLS 2023 season starting later in February, it has been ruled to be a new season, and there is not thought to be any obstacle to the loan deal on that front.
Aubameyang was one of several big names to be axed from Chelsea’s Champions League squad, with the club making several big-money signings in the January window.
Graham Potter axed the striker from his Champions League squad to accommodate two new signings
The deal is not yet completed and there are still small details to be agreed upon, but it is anticipated that the move will be finalised.
Graham Potter’s side made brought in numerous new faces to strengthen a misfiring forward line, including the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk and Joao Felix who were registered in his place.
January signings Noni Madueke and Benoit Badiashille also missed out on a place in the squad that is next in action against Aubameyang’s former side Borussia Dortmund.
Despite leaving out the star striker, Potter insisted that the player had done ‘nothing wrong at all’ but had to be moved out to accomodate the new signings.
‘Pierre’s a professional and of course I understand he will be disappointed,’ Potter said.
‘It was a tough decision, a tough call, we had three coming in and two had to go out, so he was the one that missed out. He’s done nothing wrong at all.
‘It’s tough because I am empathic, so I understand his disappointment, but I’ve got a responsibility which is to make these tough decisions and then articulate them as honestly and as well as I can to the player, and then respect the fact that he’s going to be disappointed.
‘He’s handled it very well, trained today fantastically, which is what I would expect. He’s been a top guy for us.’
Gareth Bale retired in the offseason but helped LAFC win the MLS Cup in his time in California
Chelsea signed Aubameyang at the end of the summer window when his former Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel was in charge, only for the German to be sacked a week later.
And the forward struggled to make an impact in west London, and was frequently left out of the starting XI in favour of Kai Havertz, an attacking midfielder by trade.
During his unsuccessful stay at Stamford Bridge, Aubameyang has so far managed only three goals and an assist in 18 outings for the Blues.
Aubameyang could join a side that has qualified for the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League
UEFA rules allow only three new players to be registered for the knockout rounds – January signings Mykhailo Mudryk (left) and Joao Felix (right) have been included
Aubameyang had been linked with the California-based outfit in order to replace Gareth Bale, who hung up his boots in January 2023.
LAFC get their MLS campaign underway season on February 25 in ‘El Traffico’ against its crosstown rival Los Angeles Galaxy.
LAFC’s success last season means it will also play in the CONCACAF Champions League in 2023, starting with a round of 16 two-legged tie against Costa Rican side Alajuelense in March.
source: www.dailymail.co.uk
