"I've been told this afternoon" – Journalist drops huge Chelsea update on "exceptional" star

Chelsea are “advancing” with talks over a deal to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to journalist Simon Phillips.

The ex-Arsenal star has emerged as Thomas Tuchel’s top striker target this window and Phillips reckons the Blues are moving closer to bringing the 33-year-old back to the Premier League.

Aubameyang only left the Gunners back in January, but Barcelona’s financial problems, coupled with Robert Lewandowski’s arrival at the Nou Camp, could see the frontman make a swift return to English football.

The Catalan outfit are ‘open’ to selling Aubameyang, who is valued at £21m, with fears over Financial Fair Play.

Aubameyang came off the bench against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, but Lewandowski’s arrival is likely to reduce his game-time, which could lead to him leaving before the 1 September’s deadline.

Phillips believes that Chelsea have convinced Aubameyang to move to Stamford Bridge, with the striker keen on working under Tuchel once again following their time together at Borussia Dortmund.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I’ve been told this afternoon that this one is really advancing over the course of today. Chelsea have been in talks with his agent all week.

“Those talks have been positive after Aubameyang initially wasn’t so sure, but now he is.

“He’s quite keen on rekindling with Tuchel and playing for Chelsea, coming back to London, he’s still got his house here and therefore everything is ready to go.”

Aubameyang, described as ‘exceptional‘ by Mikel Arteta, landed in England with an outstanding goal return in the Bundesliga, scoring 141 goals in five seasons with Dortmund, more than half of which came under Tuchel.

And from minute one, the experienced striker scored goals on a frequent basis in the Premier