Out of favour Chelsea striker closing in on MLS switch

Chelsea star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is close to joining MLS side Los Angeles FC on loan

MLS team Los Angeles FC are close to signing Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on loan for the remainder of the current campaign.

A loan agreement for Aubameyang has been reached between Chelsea and Los Angeles FC, according to Leo10 Sport (via Mirror.UK). The move comes at the heels of the Gabonese striker’s exclusion from the Blues’ UEFA Champions League roster for the knockout stages.

The main reason the ex-Arsenal player joined Chelsea was to play under Thomas Tuchel, his former boss from Borussia Dortmund. The association was short-lived as Chelsea sacked the German manager and replaced him with Graham Potter earlier in the campaign.

Things went haywire for the 33-year-old, who has been a fringe player for Chelsea since, causing him to spend the majority of his time on the bench and making a mere 11 Premier League appearances.

However, it appears that Aubameyang wants to leave the club swiftly because he needs more playing time, and a Los Angeles FC offer has been made. Before the move is finalised, though, a few details still need to be worked out. Selling him even on loan could help the Blues up their salary cap.

If Tuchel had still been in charge, things may have turned out differently. But that is not the case and it would appear that Aubameyang is in his final few days at Stamford Bridge.

He has had a hard time linking up at Chelsea and a move to the MLS should be a comparatively easier challenge. It also presents him the opportunity to take his talents to a new market and rekindle a flagging career.

However, his move to the MLS might undoubtedly benefit the player because there is less pressure and competition there than in the Premier League.

More Chelsea News:

• N’Golo Kante is looking to extend his Chelsea contract after positive talks with the club
• Juventus are considering making a swap deal for Mateo Kovacic and Denis Zakaria
• Chelsea hope to complete the agreement soon for the contract extension of Thiago Silva

The player’s performance at the end of the season will indicate if Chelsea would like to bring him in, but it would appear odd considering that the Blues may choose to sign a young, experienced striker in the summer transfer window.