Why Aubameyang cannot go back to Barcelona

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has had a difficult period at Chelsea and has been reported to want a move back to Barcelona, but LaLiga rules make it impossible.

The 33-year-old signed for Chelsea in the summer but has not found his foot or the net often enough, as he has only scored three times since signing.

Reports suggest that the Gabonese striker wants to move back to Barcelona, where he was more prolific, but LaLiga rules have proved a stumbling block.

Spanish publication Cadena SER confirms that Aubameyang cannot join Barcelona, as Spanish laws prevent a player from deregistering and registering for a club in the same season.

Aubameyang was on the books of Barcelona at the start of the season and had to be deregistered to sign for Chelsea; hence, he would not be allowed to register as a new player for Barcelona this season. 

Barcelona supporters will recall a similar case involving their youngster Alex Collado.

Collado was registered with the Barcelona B team and was set for a move to Sheffield United.

Collado was deregistered by Barcelona B in order for the move to Sheffield United to be completed.

The deal, however, fell through, and Collado could not be re-registered with the team.