Chelsea are closely monitoring Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s contract situation at Arsenal with a view to making a move this summer, sources have told ESPN.

The Blues will be in the market for a striker and identified Lyon forward Moussa Dembele as their preferred target some time ago, with R.B Leipzig’s Timo Werner also on their shortlist.

However, Aubameyang is emerging as a serious alternative as talks continue to stall over a fresh deal at Emirates Stadium.

In January, the Gabon forward publicly hit out at transfer speculation linking him with a move away from the club but his deal is set to expire next summer and preliminary talks did not yield anything meaningful.

Aubameyang, who was made captain after Granit Xhaka was stripped of the armband in November, has not agitated to leave and there are hopes within the club the 30-year-old will commit his future to Arsenal when detailed talks are held.

Arsenal were due to sit down with Aubameyang’s representatives and his family at the end of the season but the coronavirus pandemic has led to a delay and rival clubs believe there is a growing possibility he could be made available for transfer, especially if the club need to finance a rebuild to help Mikel Arteta overhaul his Arsenal squad.