Chelsea expect to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on deadline day after making new player-plus-cash offer to Barcelona

Chelsea are growing increasingly confident of signing former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on deadline day after Todd Boehly included Marcos Alonso in his latest transfer offer to Barcelona.

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The Blues are desperate to sign a new striker before the summer transfer window closes on Thursday night, having let their club-record signing – Romelu Lukaku – return to Italy last month.

Boehly, who bought the club from Roman Abramovich earlier in the year, has already spent more than £250m this summer, bringing the likes of Wesley Fofana, Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly to Stamford Bridge.

But Chelsea’s underwhelming start to the season has convinced Boehly and Thomas Tuchel that more spending is needed and the Blues intend to bring in a new striker and midfielder before the window shuts.

Aubameyang, who only joined Barcelona in January, has emerged as Chelsea’s top target and there is a growing confidence at Stamford Bridge that the deal will be reached.

While Aubameyang has largely impressed during his brief spell at the Nou Camp – scoring 13 goals in 24 appearances – Barcelona are ready to offload him in order to bring in some much-needed funds.

Manchester United also expressed interest in signing the former Gunners striker but Chelsea are at the front of the queue and have entered into advanced talks with Barcelona, according to Sky Sports.

It is claimed Chelsea’s latest offer would see Blues defender Alonso head to Barcelona in a player-plus-cash deal for Aubameyang.

Sky Sports add that all parties are ‘positive, hopeful and willing’ to iron out a deal before the transfer window shuts at 11pm on Thursday.

Aubameyang suffered a minor fracture of his jaw in an attack on his home