18 July 2023 , 08:27
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Pierre Emerick Aubameyang's nightmare spell at Chelsea is set to come to an end after the forward reached an agreement to join Ligue 1 side Marseille.
Aubameyang has endured a torrid time at Stamford Bridge since his £10million move from Barcelona in September 2022, scoring just three times in 21 appearances. The Gabon international was also left out of Chelsea's Champions League squad in February following the Blues' influx of January arrivals.
After being unable to cement a regular place in the starting XI under three different managers, Aubameyang is expected to leave Chelsea following the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino. The 34-year-old has been looking for an exit route all summer and a move to the Saudi Pro League had been previously touted.
But now, according to RMC Sport, Aubameyang has agreed a two-year deal with Marseille, with the option of a third season.
Marseille are still in talks with Chelsea over formalising the deal for the ex-Arsenal striker, who has one year left on his bumper £160,000 contract. If the move goes through, Aubameyang would be set for an instant return to the Champions League after Marseille finished third last season.
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The Blues are keen to get Aubameyang off the wage bill and free up funds for further incomings before the end of the window. Pochettino has already made six first-team additions this summer, including Christopher Nkunku, Andrey Santos, Malo Gusto and Nicolas Jackson.
All four have been named in Pochettino's 29-man squad for their pre-season tour in the United States as the Blues get set for five friendlies. Chelsea are set to take on League Two newcomers Wrexham on Thursday, before facing Newcastle, Brighton and Fulham in the new Premier League summer series.
This is all before a game against Borussia Dortmund on August 3 in their final scheduled pre-season friendly. Also in the travelling party is Enzo Fernandez, Raheem Sterling, Conor Gallagher, Mykhaylo Mudryk and Thiago Silva, while Pochettino has opted to take five goalkeepers with him despite selling Edouard Mendy to Al-Ahli.
Unsurprisingly, Aubameyang, Hakim Ziyech and Romelu Lukaku have been left out. Reece James also didn't board the place on Monday after "feeling unwell", while Wesley Fofana also hasn't made the trip due to a knee problem, which is currently being assessed at the club's training ground.
Marcus Bettinelli, Benoit Badiashile and Armando Broja will too remain at Cobham as they continue their respective recoveries from injury. It is not yet known whether Fofana, Bettinelli, Badiashile or Broja will feature at all for the Blues in pre-season, with their Premier League opener just under four weeks away.