Chelsea ‘close in’ on Aubameyang as AC Milan bid for Belotti — reports

And then, there were two. Álvaro Morata looks out of the running for the Chelsea first-choice striker job, which means that the two obvious big-money options remaining are Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Andrea Belotti. One’s 28, the other is 23. Both may be available, neither may be available. It’s just how it goes in Silly Season.

The latest on Aubameyang is that despite Borussia Dortmund’s leadership (both coach and director) maintaining that they’re expecting to keep the striker, especially now that the Chinese Super League’s transfer window has closed, Chelsea are apparently “closing in on a £65million deal”. What does that mean? Probably very little considering that it’s coming from the Mirror, but maybe this is the one time the Mirror will turn out to be peddling the truth? Don’t hold your breath.

Meanwhile in Italy, AC Milan’s spending may not be over. They have already spent more than any other Italian team has ever spent before in a transfer window, but that hasn’t stopped them from making a bid worth of about €80m (not all cash) for the Torino striker. Torino of course rejected it, just as they said they would, but they yet be open to a Chelsea bid, as per previous quotes from their president.

Since Chelsea have been spared the expense of an Alex Sandro (€70m+), perhaps we’d be willing to break the bank for one of these two? I’m not exactly sold on the club’s willingness to play that much for any one player, but this seems to be the market reality. (And still no Moussa Dembélé rumors!) We’ve painted ourselves into this corner and the only way out, unless we’re willing to roll with Michy and, say, Fernando Llorente, is to make a club record signing.

I think I would prefer Belotti just because of age and style of play, but chances are, they both could prove successful.