Real Madrid Transfer News: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Eyes Blancos over Barcelona
Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has reiterated it is his "dream" to play in Spain one day and hinted he would prefer a move to Real Madrid over Barcelona or Atletico Madrid.
The Gabonese star has attracted interest from a number of top European clubs after a phenomenal season in the Bundesliga, and with Dortmund rating him at £70 million, he indicated he could be open to a move away, per Spanish radio station Cadena Cope (via the Daily Star's Marc Williams):
"I am focused on finishing the season with my team, we do not know what will happen, but I have a contract until 2020.
I have always said it would be a dream to play in Spain. When? I don’t know.
I am not able to say [which side I favour] because anything can happen.
But I am closer to Madrid than Barcelona. And I like Real Madrid a little more than Atletico.
"
Aubameyang, 26, has netted 25 goals in 29 Bundesliga appearances this season, a tally eclipsed only by Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski in the German top flight, per WhoScored.com.
Indeed, the Poland striker is a player with whom Los Blancos have been regularly linked as they prepare to add more firepower to their strike department over the summer, per Bleacher Report's Dean Jones:
However, Aubameyang would seemingly be a more realistic—and perhaps slightly cheaper—target for Real to pursue.
It is clear that he harbours a desire to play in Spain, and he would surely be interested should Real come knocking.
Though he and Dortmund have enjoyed an excellent season, the former AS Saint-Etienne forward could well be swayed by the silverware potentially on offer at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Currently, Dortmund are out of European competition and five points back from Bayern with only two games remaining in the Bundesliga, while they face a clash with the Munich giants in the German Cup final.
Conversely, Real are still in the Liga title race with two games to go and just one win away from reaching another UEFA Champions League final.
Aubameyang would be making a step up if he moved to Real, and he has proved during the current campaign that he could star at the very highest level.
A hugely accomplished finisher, Aubameyang also links up well with fellow attackers and could form a devastating triumvirate alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
He could also be an excellent partner for Real's current No. 9, Karim Benzema, who is expected to be offered a new deal, per L'Equipe (h/t Alejandro Alcazar of Sport).
Real will have to shell out significant cash to sign Aubameyang given that his current Dortmund deal has another four years left to run, but he could be an ideal alternative strike target if they cannot sign Lewandowski.
