Manchester United Transfer News: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Rumours Emerge

Manchester United are targeting Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has been in exceptional form in the Bundesliga this season. 

Andrew Richardson of the Sun reported manager Louis van Gaal has been monitoring the attacker, in his search to add goals and pace to his squad. 

The Gabon international is the top scorer in Germany with 17 goals, leaving Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski in his wake, according to WhoScored.com.

United's interest has been matched by Barcelona, but the Red Devils believe they hold the edge over the Blaugrana as they can offer the player a better chance of first-team football, per Richardson.

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Spanish outlet Fichajes (h/t Daily Star's Marc Williams) recently claimed Chelsea are ready to spend £42 million on the prolific marksman as they search for a solution to Diego Costa's crash in form. United would have to work around this figure if they want the player, as the top teams in Europe spark a bidding war for his services. 

Aubameyang started his career at AC Milan, but he failed to represent the club, moving on to St Etienne in 2011. His success in France saw coach Jurgen Klopp purchase the player for BVB two years later, and he has shone at the Westfalenstadion since.

United have struggled to hit the back of the net this season, but they have experienced a new solidity after the strengthening of their defence. 

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Van Gaal has organised his back four to offset the issues in attack.

Former United player Quinton Fortune believes United supporters need to be patient when addressing the manager's philosophy and methodology, despite the lack of goals this term, per Sky Sports' Nick Wright:

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He's a manager who likes to work with young players, as you can see at the moment, and he just needs a bit of time because put it all together. If you look at the season there are games when it has clicked. For example, against Everton we played really well and we saw some signs of what he's capable of doing.

I'm waiting for everything to click. Once it clicks, we are going to see something really special. To be in the position we are in at the moment and not playing well, that's a good sign. I expect United to kick on in the second part of the season and get stronger.

"

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Anthony Martial's arrival from Monaco has United's fans excited about his potential, but the teenager has much to learn, and he needs a partner to share the burden in attack.

Wayne Rooney has struggled this season, leaving LvG to look across Europe for a new predator.

Aubameyang's goal ratio of 1.2, after scoring 17 in only 14 Bundesliga appearances leaves the player on the edge of breaking the goalscoring record in Germany if he keeps up his form. However, ESPN FC's Uli Hesse questioned if any current attacker can match Gerd Muller's target from 1972:

"

Whenever a Bundesliga striker has a good start and hovers near or above the goal-per-game mark after a third of the season or so, people invariably dig up Gerd Muller's ancient scoring record and wonder if it can be broken. The record stands at 40 goals, set in 1971-72 and, no, it will not be broken.

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BVB will be hugely reluctant to let Aubameyang go, but his form will dictate Europe's elite clubs will want him. He has proved he is one of the continent's most consistent performers, and his skill set is matched to the demands of the Premier League.

United have looked assured in possession this year, but there is no doubt the movement in attack has been stale. 

Van Gaal needs to find a striker who will hold the line, and not drop deep into midfield, leaving the opposition penalty area vacated.

At 26, Aubameyang is ready for the next challenge in his career, and his ability to play through the middle, or either side of a central striker, make him the perfect player for Van Gaal's favoured systems.