CHELSEA look on track to land Borussia Dortmund superstar Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the January transfer window as they look to bolster their attacking ranks.
But in Auba, the Blues would be getting much more than just a footballer.
In fact, Gabonese star Aubameyang is one of the latest world stars to develop themselves as a “brand” – both on and off the football pitch.
From luxury watches and custom threads, to trips on private jets and even the “Batmobile”, the Dortmund forward is becoming the next Cristiano Ronaldo or Neymar, in many ways.
Success on the pitch is often mirrored by equal affluence off it… and we don’t just mean Aubameyang’s car.
The Gabon international’s motor of choice is a completely customised Lamborghini, complete with ultra-shiny, metallic paint-work, the signature “A” on the bonnet.
The Murcielago has all the bells and whistles and would have set the star back a whopping £150,000.
The lettering on the bonnet of the vehicle is equally flash – as the “A” merged with a lightning bolt is meant to be a symbol… and hardly a modest one at that.
That trademark letter in fact is meant to show off just how fast Aubameyang is – as he is said to be quicker over 30metres than the world’s fastest man – Usain Bolt.
Many consider their car to be their pride and joy, but in Aubameyang’s case that truly is accurate.
Earlier this year he celebrated his birthday cake with a hand-made cake in the shape of the Lambo – along with the words “#Lambocake” and “#Batman”.
The whole “Batman” – and therefore “Batmobile” – craze came to light after Auba donned a Batman mask to celebrate a goal alongside “his Robin”, Marco Reus, in 2015.
While it was meant as “a bit of fun” according to the dynamic duo themselves, the Batman fad appears to have caught on, with Aubameyang even calling his luxury Lamborghini the “Batmobile”.
But’s it’s not just his car that demonstrates Aubameyang’s love of all things decadent.
The could-be Chelsea star has well over 6million followers on his Instagram account – and certainly isn’t shy about showing off his lifestyle to his fans.
As well as constant trips on private jets, seemingly commonplace in today’s game, Auba appears to have an eye for jewellery.
As well as his gold rings, fancy watches and a custom iPad – the superstar even owns gem-encrusted trainers from Nike, one of his sponsors.
When sharing that pair of kicks to the world, he did so posed on a runway in front of a private jet… a far cry from being shuffled into a packed economy seat wearing battered trainers.
It’s nothing new for Aubameyang either… he once showed off a pair of green football boots made by Swarovski – definitely not fit for the football pitch in 2012 while at Saint-Etienne.
Made of around 5,000 crystals and costing £2,500 the Nike Mercurials certainly caused a stir on social media.
His significant other is hardly a shrinking violet either – proving once and for all good things come in pairs.
Girlfriend Alysha Behague has a string of equally flashy snaps on her social media accounts, including being sprawled across a stunning red Ferrari and lying on a yacht with the football star.
The pair have two children together too, both boys – and and they clearly have no issue in imparting their lavish lifestyle on them.
In one Instagram image, Aubameyang and one of his kids – Curtys – are playing PlayStation… with golden controllers.
With Chelsea struggling for depth in their attacking ranks, relying heavily on Alvaro Morata with Diego Costa all-but gone, Auba could be on the brink of bringing his flashy lifestyle to West London.
He’ll certainly fit in around the likes of Mayfair, but with 17 goals to his name already this season, Aubameyang – and his playthings – won’t come cheap.
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