Chelsea

Chelsea

Premier League • England

Transfer Gossip: Chelsea star ramps up exit plan, with club ‘advancing strongly’ amid Potter dilemma; Man Utd make starlet contract decision

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Conor Gallagher, Christian Pulisic, October 2022

A Chelsea star is angling for a move to a club who are quickly progressing talks, while Manchester United want to hand a new contract to an exciting prospect – both in the latest Transfer Gossip.

AUBAMEYANG COULD LEAVE CHELSEA

Paris Saint-Germain are progressing talks with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and his camp over a summer 2023 swoop for the Chelsea striker, a report claims.

The Blues signed the former Arsenal man from Barcelona this summer as they sought attacking reinforcements. Former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel had added Raheem Sterling, but wanted an out-and-out centre forward too.

And the German subsequently went after the player he got success out of at Borussia Dortmund. Although, the pair did not reunite for long, as Tuchel got the sack at the start of September.

Nevertheless, Aubameyang has still settled well under his successor, Graham Potter. The 33-year-old has scored two goals in four games.

However, Foot Mercato reports that the striker could leave Chelsea next summer, halfway through his two-year contract. And it is French giants PSG who are ‘advancing strongly’ towards him.

Indeed, talks between PSG and Aubameyang’s camp have already begun. What’s more, Aubameyang is ‘already planning’ for life in Paris, a city he has always appreciated.

PSG manager Christophe Galtier is another key reason why Aubameyang is steering towards PSG. The pair worked together at Saint-Etienne between 2011 and 2013.

Aubameyang remained an unused substitute for Chelsea’s Premier League win over Wolves on Saturday. Speaking after the match, boss Potter refused to rule out new signings in the January transfer window.

I’ve not thought about the transfer window,” Potter told the Evening Standard.

“Thanks for reminding me of that! I’ve been busy with three matches in a week, but my answer is always that any club has to be, when the window is open, looking for options and how they can improve.

“But my job as head coach is to help the players that are here and help them improve.

“You can see from the team today that there are a lot of positives, but we are not at our maximum, but that is exciting as well because we can help the team and individuals get better.”

Aubameyang has scored 69 goals in 129 Premier League appearances and could look to build up a similarly impressive tally in Ligue 1.

MAN UTD WANT NEW GARNACHO CONTRACT

Manchester United are planning to hold talks with the representatives of Alejandro Garnacho over a new contract, a report claims.

United signed the 18-year-old in the summer of 2020 and he has made five first-team appearances so far.

The Spaniard featured under manager Erik ten Hag in pre-season this summer, with the Dutchman believing he has an exciting future.

In fact, AS reports that Man Utd want to tie Garnacho to a new contract.

Club chiefs will meet the teenager’s camp in the coming days to try and make progress over new terms.

Garnacho’s current deal expires in 2025, but United believe he has a future at Old Trafford beyond then.

Garnacho made a fleeting Premier League appearance against Brighton at the start of the season. He has since made two Europa League cameos against Sheriff Tiraspol and Omonia.

TRANSFER GOSSIP – TOTTENHAM EYE FORMER ACADEMY STAR’S RETURN

Tottenham are thinking about re-signing Dennis Cirkin from Sunderland after letting the promising left-back leave last summer.

The 20-year-old has played at centre-back in eight of Sunderland’s Championship games this season.

In his debut campaign with the Black Cats in 2021/22, he starred with 34 League One outings and a subsequent role in their triumphant play-off campaign to help them earn promotion.

According to The Sun, Spurs have kept tabs on Cirkin since he left and are now keen on bringing him back to London.

But, Tottenham may yet sign him to then sell him to a rival soon after.

Cirkin has recently returned to fitness after a spell out with injury and Tottenham will reportedly watch his progress between now and the January transfer window.