Barcelona could be in a shock move to bring back striker Pierre Emerick Aubameyang to Camp Nou after reports emerged on Monday as the Catalonians hope to bolster their attack in the summer with little financial implications.

Aubameyang has remained professional about his situation at Stamford Bridge after he was dropped from the team’s UEFA Champions League squad for the knockout stage and also given limited time in the league.

However, his initial time at Barcelona has resonated with the hierarchy at the club, and they want him back as a competition for Robert Lewandowski. Furthermore, they have set their sights on Roberto Firmino, who will leave Liverpool this summer, as previously announced.

The former Arsenal striker, who joined Chelsea last summer for £10.3 million, has only scored two goals in 20 games for the Blues, while in contrast, the 33-year-old scored 13 goals in 24 games for LaLiga leaders during the second half of last season.

Barcelona were interested in bringing Aubameyang to Camp Nou in January, but financial implications denied them that opportunity which could also come to play in the summer. This brings in Roberto Firmino as an alternative for the La Liga leaders; Firmino will run out of contract at Anfield on July 1.

They are also looking at the possibility of bringing back Lionel Messi next season while also eyeing Borussia Monchengladbach’s Marcus Thuram, who becomes a free agent in the summer.

Clubs outside Spain and England are also monitoring Aubameyang’s situation at Chelsea, and he could possibly return to Germany or Italy.

Xavi’s side is currently on the top of the La Liga table with an eleven points lead and eight games to go. The team will play Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday after beating Atletico Madrid 1-0 at the weekend thanks to a Ferran Torres first-half goal.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu