Barcelona forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is expected to be sidelined for a number of weeks after his jaw was broken during a burglary of his Catalonian home.
Police were called to the Gabonese's property just outside Barcelona in the early hours of Monday morning, with Aubameyang reported to have been beaten while trying to protect his family from intruders.
The Athletic report that he is believed to have suffered a broken jaw during the struggle and so will be out of action the next few weeks.
However, which club he will be playing for by the time he recovers remains a question. 90min understands that Chelsea remain optimistic of signing the former Arsenal captain before Thursday's transfer deadline, with the injury not believed to have impacted their desire to get a deal done.
Aubameyang is currently deliberating whether to undergo surgery on his jaw in an attempt to return to action quicker or to let the wound heal naturally.
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While Chelsea expect Aubameyang to be a Blue by Thursday evening, they are back in talks with Barça over sending Marcos Alonso the other way in a separate deal.
Chelsea are confident that both deals will be finalised in time. Alonso has not been called up to Thomas Tuchel's matchday squad this season after requesting a move to Barcelona in the week leading up to the new campaign.
Source : 90min