Chelsea
boss Thomas Tuchel has admitted he will always have a "close bond" with
transfer target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The German did not shut down the links with the 33-year-old, with the Blues
ready to sign the Gabon international if Barcelona allow him to leave this
month.
Tuchel managed Aubameyang at Borussia Dortmund and admitted he still
harbours strong regard for him.
"This is totally separate from anything that is happening now, but I enjoyed
a lot working with Auba while I was at Dortmund," said Tuchel.
"Some players stay your players because you were very, very close. And Auba
is one of those players.
"There was always straight away this close bond. They always stay your
players in a way."
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta forced the issue that led to Aubameyang's switch
to Barcelona last season, after a string of disciplinary issues and a clear
falling out.
In stressing his strong relationship with Aubameyang in Germany, Tuchel
added: "I experienced no issues with him, but this has nothing to do with
the situation in Arsenal, about which I will also not comment out of
respect.
"In Dortmund there was never an issue."
Meanwhile, Arteta has defended removing Aubameyang as Arsenal captain last
season but hopes he gets a good reception from Gunners fans if he joins
Chelsea.
"It's a long time since that happened, I can't go back when there's another
series," Arteta said of the Aubameyang captaincy saga ahead of Saturday's
game against Leicester.
"I was clear and honest in my opinion. What has been done is to defend our
club and be as clear, honest as we can.
"Auba is an exceptional player, he did so much for us and we have to be
grateful for what he did for this club.
"I hope he does [get a good reception from Arsenal fans] because he deserves
that. There are moments in your career, where the trajectory of the
individual is different to the club."
Tuchel refuses to comment on Fofana
Tuchel also did not comment on speculation over Leicester defender Wesley
Fofana, with the Blues having had two bids rejected for the Frenchman.
Chelsea are still some distance away in their valuation of Fofana with their
second bid for the 21-year-old worth around £60m, but Leicester are only
interested in an offer close to the record fee paid for a defender - the
£80m that Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire three years ago.
Sky Sports News reported earlier this week that Chelsea are preparing a
bigger offer in the coming days which will be much closer to Leicester's
valuation.
Tuchel has made Fofana a transfer priority this summer, but Leicester do not
want to sell him, and feel his value will only increase in the next few
years.
Leicester will be increasingly reluctant to sell as the transfer deadline
approaches.
Asked about Fofana, Tuchel replied: "I will not comment. We could use one
more central defender, if you look at the numbers, given the fact at the
moment we play with a back three.
"And the profile of the guys in the back three is a little bit different I
admit, we're playing with Cesar Azpilicueta who is more of a full-back in
the back three, and Marc Cucurella similar in the back three.
"But they are not central defenders, so we could do with one more, but let's
see what happens.
"I think we could use and strengthen our squad in strength and depth, in
both, but it's one thing you wish for and what's possible.
"It needs to be possible, we're looking for top quality, personality and
good characters.
"You don't always get what you wish for, that's why we're calm and ambitious
at the same time. But there are still quite a few days to go until the end
of the transfer window."
'Alonso finalising Barca transfer'
Tuchel also confirmed Marcos Alonso will miss Sunday's Premier League clash
with Tottenham, while trying to finalise his transfer to Barcelona.
"Marcos is not in training at the moment and tries to finalise his
transfer," said Tuchel. "So he will not be available.
"Mateo Kovacic also has issues with his knee, so we decided to take a step
back, increase training time and have no more reaction, but he will be
missing."
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