Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang handed an escape route from his Chelsea nightmare as new transfer destination emerge despite transfer window closing
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was omitted from Chelsea’s UEFA Champions League squad last week. LAFC are rumored to be prepared to offer him a way out of his Chelsea nightmare.
According to reports, the MLS is a potential destination for Aubameyang, who has struggled for form and playing time at Stamford Bridge since his August transfer from Barcelona.
Even though Aubameyang has had to deal with a change in manager at Stamford Bridge since Thomas Tuchel was replaced by Graham Potter, as such a prolific goalscorer, he will undoubtedly take great disappointment in this season’s results. In 17 appearances across all competitions, he has scored just three goals.
Previously, the 33-year-old had scored 92 goals in 163 appearances for Arsenal during a four-year stint in north London, where he would become club captain before experiencing a high-profile dispute with senior figures.
His brief stay in Spain was also fruitful, as he scored 13 goals in 24 games.
However, perhaps to the dismay of LAFC fans, the British transfer window for January closed last week. This does not preclude the possibility of Aubameyang’s departure, however.
This is because Aubameyang is eligible to legally sign with any Major League Soccer team. The MLS primary transfer window opened on January 31st and will close on April 24th.
Typically, Aubameyang would be restricted from playing for a third club this season as FIFA regulations allow players to appear for only two teams in one season, and he has already represented both Barcelona and Chelsea. However, MLS offers a loophole for Aubameyang as its 2023 season is considered an “overlapping season” due to its February start, making him eligible to play in the league.
‘Players may be registered with a maximum of three clubs during one season. During this period, the player is only eligible to play official matches for two clubs,’ FIFA says. ‘As an exception to this rule, a player moving between two clubs belonging to associations with overlapping seasons (i.e. start of the season in summer/autumn as opposed to winter/spring) may be eligible to play in official matches for a third club during the relevant season.’
To complete the signing of Aubameyang as an under-contract player in another country, MLS clubs must submit an International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
Then there are his substantial earnings to consider. It is believed that Aubameyang is under contract with Chelsea for a staggering £160,000 per week, posing a potential obstacle to the deal.
Tom Boger, a journalist for the MLS and USMT, has outlined one way to overcome such an obstacle. He wrote on Twitter: “[I] assume Chelsea would have to cover most of his salary.”
Sources: LAFC are indeed in talks about potentially signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. There's truth to the talks, though sources stress nothing is close.
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) February 6, 2023
Aubameyang, 33, left off Chelsea's Champions League squad. Would assume Chelsea would have to cover most of his salary. pic.twitter.com/NBzs59W69o
With former Gunner Carlos Vela and fellow Gabonese star Denis Bouanga currently occupying two of LAFC’s designated player spots, Aubameyang could easily become the club’s designated player.
The designated player rules permit MLS clubs to sign players whose salaries exceed the maximum salary budget charge, such as Aubameyang.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang handed an escape route from his Chelsea nightmare as new transfer destination emerge despite transfer window closing
