Chelsea striker wants to join Barcelona in the summer, willing to reduce his salary

After Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was spotted in the Barcelona dressing room on Sunday, celebrating the team’s 2-1 win over Real Madrid, rumours about a possible return have suddenly started doing the rounds.

Earlier today, it was reported that Barcelona are considering re-signing Aubameyang from Chelsea in the summer as a low-cost attacking reinforcement.

Now, building on those claims, SPORT is reporting that the 33-year-old centre-forward is willing to return to Barcelona in the summer transfer window and would be open to reducing his salary to facilitate a transfer.

Aubameyang spent just six months at Barcelona after arriving for free in January last year. The Gabonese international endeared himself to his teammates, coaching staff and the fans alike, but had to be sold because of the club’s financial situation.

Having joined Chelsea for €12 million, the former Arsenal captain has failed to establish himself at Stamford Bridge. Once Graham Potter replaced Thomas Tuchel as manager, the veteran has been completely out of favour.

Given his diminished importance in the squad and Chelsea’s need to cut their wage bill, Aubameyang could be released for free in the summer even though his contract runs until 2024, as per the report.

And should the conditions be favourable, Barcelona would be willing to bring back the former striker for another stint at the club.

Aubameyang, who had offered himself in the January window as well, and is willing to accept a lower wage in order to return to the Catalan outfit.

Much will depend on how Barcelona’s plans for the summer take shape and how they deal with the Financial Fair Play problems. Given that they are also targeting players like Vitor Roque, Lionel Messi and Inigo Martinez, sufficient space must be created on the wage bill.