Soccer Transfer Rumors: FC Barcelona Sent Scout to Watch Dortmund's Aubameyang
Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is currently in the form of his life with 17 goals in 13 appearances in all competitions for the Black and Yellows, per Soccer Base. According to talkSPORT, he has been on the radar of many English clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool, but Barcelona has already sent a scout to watch the Gabon international.
Top Barcelona scout Ariedo Braida was reportedly in Germany last weekend to watch Aubameyang in Dortmund's 3-1 win over Werder Bremen. The 26-year-old speedster did not score in the match, but Braida was said to be very impressed by the striker.
Last month, Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, as translated by Barca Blaugranes, reported that the Catalan club was interested in signing Aubameyang as officials of Barcelona were impressed with his development in the past two years. Management believes that he is a good replacement for Luis Suarez once the Uruguay star begins to decline.
In an interview with BBC Sports, Auba revealed that he wants to play in Spain after his contract with Dortmund expires. "My dream is to play in Spain. Lots of people think that the Premier League would good for me but my mum is Spanish and I really have that dream to play over there. For the moment I aim to one day play in Spain," he said.
The Gabon international later explained in an interview with Telefoot that his late grandfather is also one of his motivations for wanting to play in Spain. "My grandfather died a year ago already. I made him a promise that I would one day play in Spain. He was a fan of Real Madrid. I really hope to play in Spain one day. But for the moment I'm at Dortmund and what's important is to concentrate on that," Aubameyang said as translated by ESPN.
The 26-year-old signed a contract extension with Dortmund earlier in the summer that will expire at the end of the 2020 season, per the official BVB website. His initial contract with the club was set to expire in 2018 but is now extended by two years, with better terms to increase his market value.
Dortmund's CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke told German newspaper Bild that clubs interested in their speedy striker should take note of his contract. He added that he does not care if someone like Braida is at the arena scouting their players.
"I don't care that he was in the stadium. Everyone should be aware of Aubameyang's contract length," Watzke said via ESPN. Barcelona's transfer ban is about to be lifted and they are sure to spend a huge amount of money for new players. As of October 16, 2015, Aubameyang has a market value of €35 million, per Transfermarkt.
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