Transfer News: Arsenal receive encouragement in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pursuit

Borussia Dortmund CEO Michael Zorc is sick of Pierre Emerick Aubameyang’s disciplinary antics and feels disillusioned about the forward amid fresh transfer links to Arsenal.

According to Goal.com, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang’s poor disciplinary record could force Dortmund to sell the forward, as Arsenal among other clubs would be interested in taking the Gabon International away from Westfalenstadion in January.

Dortmund has had to deal with Aubameyang’s internal disciplinary issues; and not for the first time. Earlier in November 2016, he was suspended by the club. At the weekend he missed a crucial team meeting and was subsequently suspended by Dortmund and excluded from the matchday squad for the draw against Wolfsburg.

Aubameyang has long been outspoken about his dream switch to Real Madrid, which seemed more like a come-get-me plea for the La Liga giants, although Real never really were interested in the Gabonese forward. Last summer, Aubameyang flirted with the likes of AC Milan, Chelsea as well as the Chinese Super League.

No move materialised, and the forward has had issues with the club ever since. Aubameyang, since he signed for Dortmund has been in red-hot goalscoring form and nobody can question him on that front. Last season’s Bundesliga golden boot winner has 13 goals this season after featuring 15 times in the league this season.

Arsenal are on the verge of losing star man Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United, as  Manchester City very recently pulled out of the deal. There is heavy speculation on the futures of Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott as well. Ozil aside, the Dortmund forward is considered more of a replacement for Walcott and Arsenal have lined up Bordeaux star Malcom as Sanchez’s replacement.

“At some point you can’t tolerate it [lack of discipline from Aubameyang] anymore,” Zorc said. “I don’t know what’s going on inside his head. We had a very contentious discussion today. We’re not used to this behaviour from him. It can’t go on like this” as Zorc continued.

Aubameyang has been on Arsenal’s watchlist, since appointing former Dortmund man Sven Mislintat as their head of recruitment. Mislintat has reportedly recommended Aubameyang as the player who would fit the bill at Arsenal and urged the club to make a move.

Players with disciplinary issues rarely excite Arsene Wenger but in Aubameyang’s case its different. He could be the ‘quality’ player the Frenchman always refers to when asked about transfer targets. It would be difficult to ignore Aubameyang’s quality on the pitch and Wenger might see the whole saga as an opportunity to do a quick deal with Dortmund.

Arsenal may get his man for a lesser price than what Dortmund was demanding last summer.

Irrespective of an Arsenal move, Dortmund have come to realise the player is a problem for their squad harmony and they might be willing to find a solution by letting the forward have his wish to leave the club once and for all. Aubameyang’s destination despite the Arsenal links is still unclear, although it is understood the Gunners currently lead the chase.