Barcelona are once again keen on signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang but only if they can get the player they sold for €12m for free.

BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 28: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Barcelona warms up prior to the LaLiga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Real Valladolid CF at Camp Nou on August 28, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – AUGUST 28: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Barcelona warms up prior to the LaLiga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Real Valladolid CF at Camp Nou on August 28, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

In order to get rid of a problem at the club, Arsenal sanctioned the release of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for free so he could sign for Barcelona.

Six months later, Barcelona sold him to Chelsea for a fee of €12m.

Not long after Auba arrived at Stamdord Bridge, Chelsea sacked Thomas Tuchel and hired Graham Potter, who is not overly fussed on having the former Arsenal captain in his squad.

Rumours about a summer departure have been around for a while now, and he’s only been at Chelsea since the start of the season.

Barcelona are facing up to the possibility of losing Memphis Depay. He’s been linked with an exit for a while, as well, and with Joao Felix heading to Chelsea on loan, Atletico Madrid are said to be interested.

Should that happen, Barcelona want to replace him with Aubameyang – but only if Chelsea waive any fee for him.

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid interested in Aubameyang

Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are looking to bring Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang back to Spain, according to reports.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Graham Potter embraces Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Chelsea as they are substituted off during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge on November 06, 2022. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Graham Potter embraces Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Chelsea as he is substituted off during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge on November 06, 2022. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Sami Mokbel reports for the Daily Mail that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is attracting interest from Spain, with Joao Felix’s arrival pushing the striker down the pecking order.

Various La Liga clubs are monitoring Aubameyang’s situation, including Atletico Madrid.

Meanwhile, Gerard Romero reports that Barcelona are making moves to potentially bring the striker back to the club, though it will depend on their January departures.

Aubameyang seemingly still has a strong reputation in Spain, due to his exploits at Barcelona in the first half of 2022.

But even with Romelu Lukaku on loan and Armando Broja injured, Aubameyang still hasn’t been able to get into the starting lineup ahead of Kai Havertz since the World Cup break.

The striker missed Chelsea’s last game with a back problem, but he’ll reportedly return to the squad against Fulham.

Chelsea's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang waves to supporters as celebrates at the end of the UEFA Champions League Group E football match between Chelsea and AC Milan at Stamford Bridge in London on October 5, 2022. - Chelsea won 3 - 0 against AC Milan. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang waves to supporters as celebrates at the end of the UEFA Champions League Group E football match between Chelsea and AC Milan at Stamford Bridge in London on October 5, 2022. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

When Lukaku returns, Broja recovers, Christopher Nkunku joins, Felix potentially makes his loan permanent, with Havertz already at the club and the recent acquisition of David Datro Fofana, Aubameyang will be one of many forward options at Chelsea.

As it stands, it’s hard to see which of those options he’s ahead of. Perhaps Fofana, for now, but the others would all have a stronger claim to minutes.

A move back to Spain would be sensible.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR