Chelsea Transfer News: Blues Prepare Offer for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Chelsea are reportedly close to a £65 million swoop for Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Blues are now in "pole position" to sign the 28-year-old, per John Cross of the Daily Mirror.

Cross said Chelsea are favourites for Aubameyang after missing out on Romelu Lukaku to Premier League rivals Manchester United, while Alvaro Morata has stayed at Real Madrid.

Interestingly, Cross' report also spelled out how Aubameyang's proposed move to Stamford Bridge could see a rival's striker leave London: "The move is set to spark a striker merry-go-round as Dortmund have now entered formal talks with Arsenal for France striker Olivier Giroud after Mirror Sport revealed their interest."

Dortmund would certainly need to replace their leading scorer should Aubameyang move on, but they would get a much different player in Giroud. The Frenchman is more of a target man, comfortable playing with his back to goal.

Giroud lacks the pace and penalty-box instincts Aubameyang routinely imposes on games. Chelsea covet those qualities as they get ready to "offload bad boy striker Diego Costa to his former club Atletico Madrid," according to Cross.

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The report added Atletico "would then loan [Costa] out until January as they are under a transfer embargo." The La Liga side are able to sign players but cannot register them until their transfer ban is lifted. 

There is no denying Aubameyang's pedigree as one of the most prolific strikers in Europe. He netted an impressive 40 goals in all competitions for Dortmund last season, per WhoScored.com.

The 28-year-old Gabon international has become deadly from close range, per Squawka Football:

Adding Aubameyang's keen eye for goal alongside the direct pace of Pedro and the flair of Eden Hazard would make the forward line that fired Chelsea to last season's Premier League title even more intimidating for opponents.

This deal would also be the boost manager Antonio Conte's squad needs ahead of a return to the UEFA Champions League.