Transfer Talk: Chelsea eyeing Barca raid for Aubameyang and De Jong

Chelsea will look to raid Barcelona in the coming weeks as they step up their interest in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Frenkie de Jong. 

Aubameyang, 33, only made the switch to the Catalan giants in February after he fell out of favour with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

The Gabon international recaptured his form in Spain, scoring 11 times in LaLiga as Barca recovered from a poor first half of the season to finish second behind rivals Real Madrid. 

Now, Aubameyang could be set to return to London in a cut-price deal, according to the Telegraph.

Chelsea are likely to spend over £200million by the end of the transfer window having already recruited Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly, with a deal for Marc Cucurella nearing the finish line. 

But the Blues are reportedly keen to splash out again and bring in De Jong after the Dutchman's move to Manchester United stalled.

The Blaugrana have an agreement in place with the Red Devils for an initial fee of £63m but the former Ajax midfielder is said to be unsure about a switch to Old Trafford due to the lack of Champions League football.

Reports from the Mirror suggest that should Chelsea swoop in for the 25-year-old, he would be more accepting of a move.

Furthermore, the report claims that United would rather walk away from the deal than become involved in a bidding war with the West London club.

In other news

West Ham are closing in on a deal for Burnley winger Maxwel Cornet after meeting his £17.5m release clause, report the Guardian.

England international and Wolves captain Conor Coady could be set to depart the Midlands with Everton keen on signing the defender, according to the Daily Mail.

Football Insider suggest that Nottingham Forest have opened talks with Southampton over the signing of Scotland striker Che Adams.