Monday, 1st July, 2013
Borussia Dortmund have taken a big step towards acquiring Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s services for next season by sending a club representative to hold talks with Saint-Etienne over the move, according to French daily Le Progres.
Aubameyang had been subject to several bids last week, with Newcastle United the most enthusiastic, while Dortmund had also put their names in the hat.
The player has been linked with Arsenal, Swansea City and Bayer Leverkusen, among others, but it appears Dortmund have taken the lead in the transfer race.
Aubameyang’s desire is for Champions League football, while Saint-Etienne only qualified for the Europa League thanks to their victory in the French Coupe de la Ligue.
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With Dortmund taking the step of sending a representative, it remains to be seen if interest from Russian giants Anzhi Makhachkala, another suitor, especially their financial muscle, can give the transfer saga yet another twist.
Aubameyang has been making waves in Ligue 1 thanks to his 19 goals in 37 games for Saint-Etienne, and his displays had also brought Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain to the fore in the summer.
Newcastle were said to have tabled a €29m offer for Aubameyang as well as his Saint-Etienne team-mate Kurt Zouma last week, but the latter’s agent denied reports of the same over the weekend.
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