The Blues have completed the signing of forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from FC Barcelona on a two-year contract. They paid 12 million euros to the Blaugrana and rescinded Marcos Alonso’s contract, allowing the Spaniard to join the latter on a free transfer, to conclude the unorthodox swap deal.
The former Gabon international, who will wear the number nine on his return to London, having previously played for Arsenal, spoke of the honour that comes with representing Chelsea.
“I’m really happy. It’s an honor to be part of this team and I can’t wait to start. I have some unfinished business with the Premier League so it’s good to be back and really exciting,”
he said in his first interview.
Aubameyang international made 163 appearances for Arsenal during his first stint in the Premier League between January 2018 and February 2022, scoring 92 goals in the process. After sealing his switch to Camp Nou, he made 24 appearances and scored 13 goals.
Chelsea also secured a new midfield signing before the closing of the transfer window. Having failed in their pursuits of Edson Alvarez (AFC Ajax) and Ibrahim Sangare (PSV Eindhoven), the Blues turned to Denis Zakaria of Juventus, bringing him in on a one-year loan deal with the option to buy at the end of the stipulated period for 30 million pounds.
As part of the agreement with the Bianconeri, Chelsea will fully pay Zakaria’s wages for the 2022/23 season. Should the club deem him necessary to their plans moving forward, the Swiss midfielder will be presented with a five-year contract to turn his stay permanent at the end of the season.
Zakaria had only just arrived in Turin earlier this year in a 4.5 million euro deal from Borussia Monchengladbach. He made 15 appearances for the Italian giants and scored one goal before being shipped out to Chelsea.
