Aubameyang 'says goodbye' to Nou Camp as £16.9m Chelsea bid attempts Barcelona sale

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang appeared to say goodbye to Barcelona fans on Wednesday night as his move to Chelsea drew closer.

Aubameyang - who only moved to Barcelona in January after being dropped from Arsenal by Mikel Arteta - has emerged as Chelsea's top striker this summer with manager Thomas Tuchel keen to reunite with the Gabon international, who scored 79 goals in 95 games under the German boss during their time together at Borussia Dortmund.

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Chelsea's first offer of €15m (£12.6m) was turned down last week by Barcelona, ​​who reportedly expected €30m (£25.3m) for the 33-year-old, whom they signed for free. six months ago.

But a Monday report claimed both clubs were happy with an improved offer from Chelsea of ​​€20m (£16.9m) with add-ons removed from the deal.

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Essentially, an offer of that amount would see Barcelona save £46m by signing summer Jules Kounde.

Speaking last week, Barcelona head coach Xavi insisted the club's main objective was to register Kounde as soon as possible.

“If there is an offer for one of them, we will see how the team presents itself. Now the priority is to register Koundé,” said Xavi.

"Kounde is training very well. He is great with the ball. I think we signed a very good player. Now we have to sell players to sign him.

The Barcelona boss was initially reluctant to allow Aubameyang to leave but now appears to have accepted his departure.

Aubameyang scored what appears to be his last goal for the Spanish giants in their 3-3 draw with Manchester City on Wednesday night.

The forward waved to the fans as he left Camp Nou, with a move to Stamford Bridge now set to be completed ahead of Barcelona's next game on Sunday.

The midweek friendly between the European giants was organized to raise funds for ALS (amyotropic lateral sclerosis) research, in support of former Barcelona goalkeeper and manager Juan Carlos Unzue, who was diagnosed with the incurable degenerative disease two years ago.

Riyad Mahrez's stoppage-time equalizer followed goals from Julian Alvarez, Aubameyang, Frenkie de Jong, Cole Palmer and Memphis Depay.

"I would like to thank Barcelona and Manchester City for their commitment and sensitivity to our cause," Unzue said. “I also want to thank everyone who purchased a ticket and everyone who donated through the Row Zero initiative. I want you to know that everyone on the ALS team – here on the pitch with me – want to continue living and enjoying life."