Chelsea: £25m star could sign in 'next couple of days' at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea’s deal for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is expected to ‘move a lot faster in the next couple of days’, according to journalist Simon Phillips.

The Barcelona striker has been tipped to make a dramatic return to the Premier League just six months after his shock departure from Arsenal halfway through the 2021/22 campaign.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has reported that Chelsea have scheduled a ‘new round of talks’ with Aubameyang’s representatives in order to fully understand his demands.

Romano states that once those discussions have taken place, the capital club will be ready to submit a formal offer to Barca, who want around €30 million (£25.3m) for the Gabon international.

Xavi is said to be pushing to keep Aubameyang at the club, though, but with Robert Lewandowski arriving from Bayern Munich, the hierarchy may deem him surplus to requirements.

And Chelsea have been provided a boost in their pursuit of the 33-year-old after the Daily Mail revealed he prefers a move to Stamford Bridge over fellow admirers Manchester United.

Phillips told GiveMeSport: “I do expect this one to move a lot faster in the next couple of days. Chelsea want to verbally agree personal terms first, and then they will put their offer down to Barcelona.

“So, once the verbal terms are agreed, Chelsea want to put in about an £18 million plus add-ons offer for Aubameyang. Barcelona, at the moment, are holding out for £25 million, I expect them to meet somewhere in the middle there.

“I don’t think there’ll be a problem with a fee, and I now don’t think there’ll be a problem with the personal terms either.

“So, I think it’s just the case now of getting those agreed, getting the offer agreed, and I can see this really speeding up now.”

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