Borussia Dortmund are in talks with Paris Saint-Germain over the possible transfer of striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, for a reported fee of €70,000,000.
Aubameyang has been in Germany for nearly four years, having spent much of his early career with French sides – either on loan or with Saint-Etienne. A move back to France would prove lucrative for the Gabonese forward, as he would be earning €190,000 per week at the capital.
Striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang en Route to England
Paris Saint-Germain are looking to rebuild the ageing nucleus of their squad. Therefore they are looking to bring in striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to replace mercurial talent Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Whilst the French giants do still have Edison Cavani in their ranks, it is unlikely that Unai Emery will make his new forward share minutes with the current crop.
Whilst Cavani saw a rejuvenation of sorts last season, his campaign did not compare to Aubameyang’s. Who notched the Bundesliga golden boot with 31 goals, and a further 18 in all competitions. Bringing his tally to 49 for the season. A lack of threat in front of goal could be the reason Monaco were able to provide an upset in Ligue 1 this season. Something which the board at PSG immediately wanted to address this summer.
Aubameyang has shown established an impressive scoring pedigree during his time in Europe. “The 27-year-old scored 41 goals in 97 appearances for Saint-Etienne over the course of a two-and-a-half-year stay with Les Verts but has taken his scoring pedigree to new heights since joining Dortmund in 2013”. “The Gabonese forward has scored 85 goals in 125 appearances for Borussia Dortmund, being crowned the Bundesliga top scorer, Bundesliga player of the year and African footballer of the year during his time in Germany”. Something he will hope to continue on his return to France.
It is believed that PSG are offering a €6,000,000 signing on bonus to lure Aubameyang to the capital. And the striker himself has made it clear that he wants to be competitive as he moves further through his career.
Instability in Dortmund
This proposed transfer comes at a time of huge upheaval for the German giants, as manager Thomas Tuchel has announced that he will be leaving the club. Marco Reus has also just suffered his fifth ligament injury in four years. Meaning that the core of the Dortmund team will look very different at the beginning of next season.
Dortmund have just enjoyed success in domestic competition, in which Aubameyang scored the winner. However, he will likely find a much easier route to silverware in France. Where PSG won four league titles in a row from 2012/13 – 2015/16.
European Aspirations
Paris Saint Germain have made no secret of the fact that they want to be competitive in the Champions League, having reached the quarter final every year – also between 2012/13 – 2015/16, also having a tense encounter with Barcelona in the round of 16 last season.
It is likely that the PSG staff see Aubameyang as somebody who can take them further to the grandest prize in European football, and they are perfectly happy to pay over the odds for it.
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