Chelsea have signed Barcelona forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in a reported £10.3m (€12m) deal on Thursday as the club’s staggering transfer window spending surpassed £240m. .
Backed by Chelsea’s new owners, Blues boss Thomas Tuchel embarked on a shopping frenzy, culminating in a last minute raid on Gabon star Aubameyang.
The deal, announced after the window was officially closed at 2200 GMT, saw Aubameyang signed on a two-year deal just months after leaving Arsenal following a rift with Gunners boss Mikel Arteta. back to the premier league.
Aubameyang made up with Arteta in a number of disciplinary cases, including not reporting to training on time after visiting his sick mother in France.
Chelsea hope 33-year-old Aubameyang, who spent time together at Borussia Dortmund, reunites with Tuchel for the best.
“I’m really happy, it’s an honor to be part of this team and I can’t wait to get started,” Aubameyang told Chelsea’s website.
“I’m really excited to be back because I’ve left things unfinished in the Premier League.”
“Pierre-Emerick is a proven elite striker in the Premier League and his arrival will strengthen the team and give us new attacking options,” said Chelsea chairman Todd Boley.
“I am thrilled to have Pierre-Emerick join Chelsea in this new era and I am really looking forward to working with him.”
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Aubameyang, who had just joined Barcelona in January, scored 13 goals in 24 appearances, but was deemed unfulfilled by the cash-strapped Spanish club.
“FC Barcelona would like to publicly thank Aubameyang for his professionalism, dedication and dedication, as well as his positive and warm approach to all aspects of the club,” the Catalan giant said in a statement.
“We wish him good luck and success in the future. Your smile radiated happiness on and off the pitch. Thank you. Barça will always be your home.”
Tuchel was desperate to sign the striker after allowing Belgium international Romelu Lukaku to rejoin Inter Milan on loan in the summer.
Aubameyang should fit the bill with his proven Premier League pedigree after being the competition’s top scorer in 2018-19 and winning the FA Cup with Arsenal in 2020.
However, Aubameyang may not be heard soon after he revealed he had a broken jaw during an assault by a group of four who broke into his home and threatened him with firearms.
Aubameyang is the latest high-profile player to arrive at Stamford Bridge since Consortium frontman Todd Boley, who bought Chelsea from Roman Abramovich, spearheaded the club’s transfer effort.
Chelsea have pledged £50m for Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling, £60m for Brighton defender Marc Cucurella and £33m for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly.
They also paid £70m for Leicester centre-back Wesley Fofana and £18m for Aston Villa midfielder Carny Chukwumeka.
Chelsea have struggled so far this season despite the huge investment in new signings, losing two of their first five games and slowing the pace at the start of the title race.
