Arsenal transfer news: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang exit reports 'nonsense' insists Borussia Dortmund executive

The Gabonese international has been subjected to reports linking him with Arsenal and Manchester United

Samuel Stevens
Monday 30 May 2016 10:28 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Borussia Dortmund have dismissed reports that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is destined to leave the Westfalenstadion this summer, labelling the speculation as “nonsense".

The Gabonese international attracted interest from across European football last season, including from Arsenal and Manchester United, after scoring 39 goals in 46 appearances to help restore Dortmund’s place in the Champions League.

It has been reported that Aubameyang, 26, has been granted leave from international duty to secure a lucrative switch in the early weeks of the summer transfer window.

Barcelona and Real Madrid, La Liga and European Cup winners respectively, have also been linked with the powerful forward, but Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke has moved to dispel the rumours.

Quizzed on the subject by German sport daily, Bild, Watzke said: “That’s all nonsense.”

Despite signing a new five-year contract with the Bundesliga giants last year, Aubameyang remains likely to leave with £5.14bn of television money set to flood through the English game next season. Spanish clubs, too, are planning a summer of extensive recruitment to counteract the Premier League’s financial pull before it takes hold.

Upon agreeing new terms at Dortmund 12 months ago, Aubameyang said: “It was not for nothing that I prolonged my contract until 2020. It was a conscious decision. I can even imagine staying here for longer, even though I would like to play in Spain one day.

“In football, however, you never really know what will happen. Fundamentally, I feel so good here that I could not imagine a nicer place for me right now.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in