Transfer gossip: Chelsea open talks with ex-Arsenal hero; £33.5m star ‘prefers’ Everton to West Ham

Jason Soutar
Reported Chelsea target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with Thomas Tuchel

Chelsea need a new striker and have opened talks with a player who was at Arsenal this time last year. This, plus an update on a player who is hoping to join Everton over West Ham. Strap yourself in for some juicy Gossip.

 

TUCHEL EYES AUBA REUNION
A new striker is likely on the summer agenda for Todd Boehly and Thomas Tuchel after they let Romelu Lukaku return to Inter Milan on loan. Having said that, they will probably be okay with Kai Havertz leading the line this season, even if his goalscoring record in England leaves a lot to be desired.

The Blues have been linked with Cristiano Ronaldo – although this signing is extremely unlikely – and if you thought that one was a bit bizarre, hold on to your hats, people.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are ‘considering’ signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and ‘discussions’ have started with the player and pretty much every outlet has gone for the ‘SHOCK MOVE’ angle due to the 33-year-old’s time with Arsenal.

Tuchel and Aubameyang worked together at Borussia Dortmund and the German is a fan of the player, though he has openly spoken about the Gabon captain’s timekeeping issues, which is the main reason he was ostracised by Mikel Arteta and offloaded to Barcelona in the winter transfer window.

Aubameyang scored 92 goals in 163 games for the Gunners, which is a pretty solid record considering he didn’t know his arse from his elbow for the entirety of the 2020/21 season. He also had his way with Chelsea in the 2020 FA Cup final, scoring two fine goals to carry Arsenal to victory against Frank Lampard’s team. If he can rediscover his early Arsenal form at Chelsea, it could be a pretty good signing, and even though it was the transfer genius himself reporting this news, Chelsea do have other targets and are probably going to pursue these guys over a 33-year-old Arsenal hero on huge wages with a problem turning up for dinner on time.

 

EVERTON OVER WEST HAM?!
It was reported on Wednesday that West Ham had a £33.5million bid accepted by Lille for top midfield target Amadou Onana. This is brilliant news for David Moyes, who can turn his attention elsewhere after finally landing the talented young Belgian. Personal terms shouldn’t be an issue, right? Lille finished 10th last season and the Hammers are a big Premier League club in Europe for the second consecutive season.

Well… Onana is apparently holding off on completing a move to the London Stadium, as he ‘prefers’ a move to Everton. That’s right, Everton.

No disrespect to Everton, but that is very surprising. He will likely play more for the Toffees than for West Ham given the fact Moyes already has Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice at the club, and this must be the main reason behind Onana’s thinking. That, or his footballing idol is Frank Lampard. Or maybe he is a bit confused after speaking to Moyes on the phone, thinking he is still Everton manager.

Multiple sources have claimed this, with Romano one of many to report the news on Wednesday. We believe you, Fabrizio, even if Brighton and Twitter trolls want you to fail.

Reports in France claim that Everton have matched West Ham’s bid, so Onana could well get his wish for a relegation battle over the Conference League.

 

CHERRY PICKING SOME NEW TALENT
Bournemouth kicked their arse into gear last week by making their first non-free transfer signing of the summer, bringing in Marcus Tavernier – brother of James – from Middlesbrough for around £11m. And they have their eyes on a new central defender and goalkeeper.

West Ham and Newcastle United have both been linked with Feyenoord defender Marcos Senesi, who is valued anywhere between £10-20m, and now Bournemouth are reportedly keen.

The Cherries obviously don’t want to go down but a lot of people are tipping them to do just that, so some fresh faces are pretty necessary, even after a stellar Championship campaign.

As well as Senesi, they are ‘confident’ they can sign Barcelona goalkeeper Neto, according to the Daily Mail. The Brazilian shot-stopper has essentially wasted three years at Barcelona after they paid around £23m to sign him from Valencia, for some reason. His value is now less than £3m, as per Transfermarkt, after making a grand total of 21 appearances for the Blaugrana.

Negotiations are ‘progressing well’ as Scott Parker looks to add some competition for Mark Travers, who played 44 times in the second tier last term.

 

QUASHING THE QUASHERS
We mentioned Brighton and Twitter trolls after the Seagulls posted a statement last night to say no club has reached an agreement with them to sign Marc Cucurella.

While this sent Twitter into meltdown and left people questioning Romano and their existence on this planet as a whole, this sort of statement is something that is ‘perfectly normal’, as per Ben Jacobs. Think back to January when Lyon claimed there was no agreement with Newcastle for the sale of Bruno Guimaraes, only for him to join the Magpies shortly after. See, this sort of stuff happens all the time!

The fact Levi Colwill’s move to the Amex has not been finalised means the south coast club won’t confirm the Cucurella deal quite yet. While everyone was having a ball on the timeline, Romano clapped back at someone who called him a liar, and Jacobs told us what the hell was going on.

He wrote on Twitter: “The Brighton denial is perfectly normal. They won’t confirm until Levi Colwill deal also completed even though it’s technically separate. But there is a full agreement for Cucurella in place. (#CalmaCucurella).”