PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG is considering coming out of international retirement following a personal plea by Gabon’s president.
The veteran Chelsea striker flew to his homeland and met Ali Bongo Ondimba for talks on Monday.
Aubameyang was asked to resurrect his international career and help with qualification for next year’s African Cup of Nations.
But the £350K a week star has barely figured for Chelsea in recent months.
His last appearance was a dismal 45 minutes in the 3-1 defeat at Arsenal on May 2 when he was subbed at half time having touched the ball only nine times.
Aubameyang, 33, was also left out of the club’s Champions League squad in January despite there being no fit strikers in the squad.
The former Arsenal captain was back at Chelsea and training on Tuesday.
But he is pondering the request following heart-to-heart talks with his country’s leader.
Gabon lost their last match 1-0 against Sudan but remain top of their group and are set to qualify for the tournament in the Ivory Coast next January.
The next game is against DR Congo on June 12 and Aubameyang could well turn out for ‘The Panthers’ despite having had hardly any game time for his club in England.
Aubameyang scored 30 goals from 72 appearances for Gabon before announcing his international retirement last May.
President Ondimba was in London last week for a meeting of Commonwealth leaders but still met with Aubameyang in the capital, Libreville earlier this week.