Chelsea close to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang transfer from Barcelona, Watford won’t sell Ismaila Sarr – Paper Round

Chelsea close to Auba deal Chelsea are moving closer to signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Barcelona, The Sun reports, with an £25m improved offer set to be enough to bring the forward back to the Premier League. Xavi wants to keep Aubameyang, but Barca’s hierarchy want to sell the former Arsenal striker just eight months after he joined, and with Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel eager for a recognised centre forward, the German could be set for a reunion with the player he coached at Borussia Dortmund.

Ad Paper Round’s view: You cannot help but question Chelsea’s summer strategy, given they shipped Romelu Lukaku away on loan but have been slow in finding a replacement, and you also have to wonder if a decent set of results would have convinced Tuchel that Raheem Sterling’s arrival was enough. That hasn’t been the case, of course, and a good old No 9 should help the cause so long as there are no fallouts.

TransfersChelsea consider Maguire-Pulisic swap deal — Paper Round19/08/2022 AT 21:59 ** No selling Sarr Watford have no intention of selling Ismaila Sarr this transfer window after pulling the plug on the winger’s move to Aston Villa, the Mirror reports. After Villa’s loss at Crystal Palace on Saturday, it was reported Sarr was close to joining in a £25m move, but Watford performed a late U-turn and are now looking to tie the player down to a new contract at Vicarage Road instead.

Paper Round’s view: It looked as though Villa would get a little lift after a below-par start to the season, but it’s back to the drawing board for them, while you have to marvel at Watford’s willingness to hold onto Sarr. Having spent £27m on him three years ago mind, £25m may not have felt enough, so there’s always time for a bigger bid before