Pieere-Emerick Aubameyang is reported to have agreed a move to Guangzhou Evergrande, but Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke expects speculation over the forward’s future to continue.
Reports emerged in China on Saturday that the Super League club had beaten rivals Beijing Guoan to the Gabon international’s signature, with the fee said to be €72 million and the transfer to be finalized at the end of the Bundesliga season. This latest twist in what has been a long-running transfer saga is sure to anger Guoan if true, as the capital side had been considered favorites to secure Aubameyang’s services.
Watzke refused to confirm the news, however, telling Kicker: “The speculation surrounding Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will circle for as long as he plays here.
“We do not comment on that anymore.”
Aubameyang has been prolific for Dortmund since signing for the German club in July 2013, scoring 98 top-flight goals. But the 28-year-old’s relationship with the Signal Iduna Park outfit has soured this season and he has been dropped more than once for disciplinary reasons.
Arsenal were said to be among his suitors, but Gunners boss Arsene Wenger insisted a move was “not a possibility”
Aubameyang who clinched African footballer of the year award in 2015, only few hours back failed to re-enact the feat in Ghana after Mohamed Salah the title. The Gabon international has thus finished twice as runner up. As first runner up in 2016 when Algerian international Riyad Mahrez won the title and second runner up in the just decided edition with Sadio Mane emerging first runner up.