Chelsea’s hierarchy rejected Frank Lampard’s request to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Arsenal, according to reports.
Lampard was sacked by Chelsea on Monday after spending 18 months in charge at the club.
After a good start to the campaign, Chelsea’s form hit a slump over the winter period and Lampard leaves the club having lost five out of their last eight Premier League matches.
Lampard had also been at odds with the club’s board over possible transfers, and it’s understood that his insistence on signing Declan Rice had annoyed members of the hierarchy.
But according to The Athletic, Lampard was also interested in bringing Aubameyang to Chelsea one year ago.
The report claims that Lampard was hoping to capitalise on Aubameyang’s contract issues with Arsenal as he had not signed a new contract with the club at that point.
But, Chelsea had already targeted Timo Werner, who ended up signing up for the blues in a £47.5m deal last June. It’s also believed that Lampard was keen on signing James Tarkowski, but that was another move which was turned down by Chelsea’s board.
According to the Atheltic, Ben Chilwell was the only signing targeted by Lampard, according to an insider at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are now set to announce Thomas Tuchel’s appointment on Tuesday and he is expected to be in the dugout for the game against Wolves on Wednesday.
