Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joins Chelsea, Alonso goes the other way

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By Martin Graham | 2nd Sep 2022

Chelsea have completed the deal that brings Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Stamford Bridge. The Gabon international joins the Blues for £10m, alongside Marcus Alonso who goes the other way to Barcelona as part of the deal.

Finally, the transfer window is closed, and football can resume without the speculations of player movement. It has been a decent transfer window for some clubs, while it was something to forget for other clubs. Premier League teams were the largest spenders, with the volume of cash spent outstripping the four top European leagues combined.

Chelsea were active in the transfer window, with several players leaving the club and more joining. With the Premier League into the fifth week, the Blues have shown a propensity for conceding goals and have struggled to score them. Thomas Tuchel has made efforts to strengthen his team and has succeeded in making some signings.

Chelsea’s glaring need for a striker is over after successful negotiations with Barcelona for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Blues had spent the better part of the summer window looking to bring in a striker, with Barcelona negotiations proving difficult until the final day. The Blues agreed on a deal for the Gabon striker, who will return to the English capital.

Chelsea sign Aubameyang on deadline day

Following the back and forth that trailed the pursuit of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Chelsea can proudly say they got their man.

According to an earlier report by Sky Sports News on deadline day, Chelsea was closing in on an agreement with Barcelona for Aubameyang. The deal witnessed some ups and downs as Barcelona initially disagreed with what Chelsea offered. The two clubs finally came to terms in the final hours of transfer deadline day.

Aubameyang was permitted to undergo a medical while negotiations were still ongoing. The Gabon international flew into London on Thursday afternoon for the medical and to finalize the deal. Everything was complete after the 11 pm deadline, but the Blues pushed for more time by filing the deal sheet earlier.

The ins and outs at Chelsea

Chelsea have been active this summer, trying to shore up their squad and give Thomas Tuchel a fighting chance this season. There were a few departures, with Romelu Lukaku joining Inter Milan on loan and Timo Werner returning to RB Leipzig permanently.

Some of the arrivals in the squad include Kalidou Koulibaly, Marc Cucurella, Raheem Sterling, Carney Chukwuemeka and Wesley Fofana. Aubameyang joins from Barcelona after moving to the Catalan capital on a free transfer in January.

Aubameyang and his family were victims of an armed robbery attack in his home last weekend. The attack happened early Monday morning, leaving the Gabon international with a minor jaw fracture. The Gabonese striker should be out of action for three weeks but can resume non-contact training next week.

Aubameyang is not a strange player to Thomas Tuchel. Both worked together for two seasons at Borussia Dortmund. He scored 79 goals for Tuchel, and the German tactician is keen to work with the Gabon international again.

Chelsea need a player that can convert the many chances they create, and Aubameyang fits the bill. The forward will want to forget the ugly experience that forced him out at Arsenal.

With the Blues sitting in ninth on the log, Chelsea will hope that Aubameyang can help change their fortunes quickly.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have also signed Denis Zakaria from Juventus on a season-long loan deal.