Barcelona hoping to seal the exit of 13-goal striker to register new defender

We are just a week away until the summer transfer window slams to a shut. With time running out, Barcelona are desperately looking to sanction the exit of a star player in an attempt to register Jules Kounde.

Memphis Depay was close to joining Juventus last week, but his proposed move to Turin has hit a few roadblocks lately. It has put pressure on Barcelona to look for other options and that is where Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang comes into the fray.

Barça were reluctant to offload the Gabonese international earlier in the month as he was rated highly by coach Xavi Hernandez.

However, with pressure mounting on Barcelona to generate funds for the registration of Kounde, the sale of Aubameyang is being strongly considered. In an attempt to convince the Blaugrana, Chelsea have already made a €20 million bid for the striker lately.

And according to Alfredo Martinez (h/t BarcaCentre), the possibility of Aubameyang’s move to Stamford Bridge is gathering pace quickly. In fact, Barcelona hope to seal the exit of the Gabonese frontman in the coming hours, especially after Chelsea’s recent bid for the player.

Martinez suggests the striker’s departure should be enough for Barcelona to balance the books and register Jules Kounde, who has been left frustrated by the situation revolving around him over the past couple of weeks.

Barcelona camp remains confident they can register the Frenchman ahead of the upcoming La Liga game against Real Valladolid.

On the sporting side of things, though, Aubameyang’s departure could leave Xavi with no reliable alternative for Robert Lewandowski. Although the Pole does have an excellent fitness record throughout his career, a potential injury could be devastating for the club.

That is where other players such as Ferran Torres, Raphinha and Ansu Fati must step up and not only offer the creative support for Lewandowski this season but also shoulder some of the scoring burden in the final third.