How FIFA blocked Aubameyang from leaving Chelsea in January

FIFA rules barred Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from leaving Chelsea in January, despite attracting interest from Atletico Madrid and AC Milan, according to Standard Sport.

Aubameyang only joined the Blues in the summer of 2022.

But has since slipped so far down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.

More salt was added to his wounds when manager Graham Potter omitted him from his 25-man Champions League squad.

A move elsewhere was mooted during the winter transfer window, with the 33-year-old eager to find regular game time.

But Aubameyang has already played for Barcelona and Chelsea in the 2022/2023 campaign, and FIFA rules prevent a footballer from representing more than two teams in the same season.