Chelsea have not ‘given up’ on signing Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang before Thursday’s deadline, according to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs.

The Blues are believed to be in the market for attacking reinforcements following the departures of Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner to Inter Milan and RB Leipzig, respectively.

What is the latest news involving Aubameyang?

David Ornstein of The Athletic has provided an update on Chelsea’s pursuit of Aubameyang, stating that they are ‘having second thoughts’ about signing him.

It’s claimed that the west London outfit ‘made a proposal worth £15 million’ to prise the 33-year-old away from Camp Nou but are still to reach an agreement with Barca.

Personal terms are also yet to be agreed upon with Aubameyang, who still has three years left to run on his £250,000-per-week contract, after only arriving from Arsenal in January.

Chelsea are said to be confused over whether they will receive value-for-money in any potential deal for the Gabon international and Ornstein has disclosed that they ‘would want to include’ performances related incentives.

However, Ed Aarons of The Guardian has reported that Aubameyang is still the capital club’s number one ‘priority’ despite reviving their interest in Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha.

What has Jacobs said about Aubameyang?

Jacobs has informed GiveMeSport that Chelsea remain hopeful of striking a deal for Aubameyang, although they are ‘certainly looking at other options’.

He said: “With Aubameyang, the task of actually agreeing a package with Barcelona continues. Chelsea haven't given up, but they're certainly looking at other options as well.

“The priority of Chelsea will be to bring in a striker for sure, that's what they've wanted from day one. Raheem Sterling plus one, whether that's an out-and-out striker, or a more creative-minded player.”

How could Chelsea line up with Aubameyang?

So far this season, Thomas Tuchel has favoured a forward line consisting of summer signing Raheem Sterling on the left-wing, Kai Havertz through the middle and Mason Mount on the right-hand side.

But Havertz has been unable to find the back of the net or even provide a single assist in his four Premier League appearances.

Therefore, Tuchel is perhaps unsurprisingly keen to be reunited with Aubameyang, who he worked with at Borussia Dortmund between 2015 and 2017.

Aubameyang has registered 299 goals in 581 senior club games throughout his career, proving himself to be a prolific marksman at the elite level, and he could be the player Chelsea need to compete for silverware once more.