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Unsurprisingly, the Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang transfer saga has gone on for the entire summer. At times it really seemed like he would be leaving, but now, as the season draws near, that doesn’t appear to be the case.
Dortmund had set a window for Aubameyang and his associates to find a buyer to pry him from Dortmund, but that window has now expired.
Kicker are reporting that it would now take a truly astronomical bid to get BVB to agree to sell Auba. Here’s a translation provided by /u/Lowelll on /r/BorussiaDortmund:
The decision has been made: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will not leave Dortmund this summer. The "internal" transfer window, which Dortmund imposed on it's striker, is closed according to Kicker sources.
This tuesday Dortmund met AC Milan in Guangzhou, the club which was considered the favorite for a Aubameyang transfer after the China deal didn't happen. According to Kicker sources there were talks between the club bosses, yet a transfer won't happen.
The "internal" transfer window, which Dortmund imposed on it's striker, (Watzke to "Welt am Sonntag": "We'll wait a few days, but we won't wait long.") is closed according to Kicker sources. No further talks were held with Milan either.
This means the Borussia will start the new season with the Bundesliga topscorer. Only a unlikely offer of far above 100 mio. € could possibly convince the BVB to change their minds. Aubameyang is under contract until 2020.
In the current market, €100 million seems fair for a player of Aubameyang’s stature. There aren’t many talented strikers left to be purchased, so why would Dortmund take anything less than a massive sum for PEA?
Auba is 28 going on 29, he really doesn’t seem unhappy at Dortmund, and he’s under contract until 2020. This isn’t a player who will be able to leave for free anytime soon. Keeping him seems like the best option at this moment of the summer.
Despite the departure of Thomas Tuchel, BVB’s summer hasn’t been as chaotic as it maybe could have been. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang staying is a big part of that, just as he’ll be a big part of how Dortmund fare this coming season.