Barcelona reportedly have no intention of allowing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to leave the club during this summer's transfer window.
The 33-year-old could find it difficult to secure regular starts at Camp Nou in the new season following the arrival of Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich.
Chelsea are said to be showing an interest in the former Gabon international, with the Blues allegedly holding talks with his representatives to discuss a switch to Stamford Bridge.
However, according to Sport, Barcelona view Aubameyang as 'non-transferable' and will refuse to enter into discussions with the Premier League club over his signature.
The report claims that the Catalan outfit's head coach Xavi views the experienced attacker as an important player, while senior figures at the club are also keen to keep hold of him.
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Aubameyang also allegedly has no desire to return to the Premier League, with the forward said to have settled in Spain with his family since moving to Camp Nou in February.
Barcelona boss Xavi is said to be planning to use Aubameyang and Lewandowski together in certain matches, with the former also capable of playing off the left.
Aubameyang played in the Premier League for Arsenal between 2018 and 2022, scoring 92 goals in 163 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions during a successful spell.
The forward was allowed to join Barcelona on a free transfer earlier this year, though, following the breakdown of his relationship with the North London club.
Aubameyang impressed for the Catalan giants in the second part of last season, scoring 13 goals and registering one assist in 23 appearances, including 11 goals in 17 La Liga outings.
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The striker has a contract at Camp Nou until June 2025, but there is a clause in the deal which would allow him to leave next June if both parties agreed to a departure.
Barcelona have further improved their attack by bringing Raphinha to the club this summer, while Ansu Fati has seemingly overcome his injury problems, handing Xavi another option in the final third.
Ferran Torres and Ousmane Dembele will also again be forward options for the club during the 2022-23 campaign, but Martin Braithwaite and Memphis Depay are both expected to leave before the end of the window.
Chelsea are in the market for a new centre-forward, having allowed Romelu Lukaku to return to Inter Milan on loan, but they have allegedly turned down the chance to sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United.
Timo Werner is also being strongly linked with a move away from Thomas Tuchel's side, with Kai Havertz likely to lead their line in Saturday's Premier League opener against Everton.
Matt Law
