Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and More

Real Madrid have been put on high alert after a high-ranking Borussia Dortmund official suggested the club will be willing to sell in-demand striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Meanwhile, Los Blancos are understood to be targeting Sporting CP youngster Gelson Martins.

Aubameyang has been touted as a potential Real Madrid signing in the past, and Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke told Sky Germany (h/t the Mirror's Ed Malyon) the transfer could materialise:

"

If Real Madrid come knocking, we will talk, but it isn't going to be easy. The transfer won't be automatic.

We want him to stay with us. Unlike other players that left us recently, Aubameyang has a long contract that he has extended until 2020.

There is absolutely no pressure [to let him go]. I also don't have the impression that he would like to go.

"

Speculation falls not long after the Gabon international enjoyed the best season of his career to date in 2015-16, where he netted 39 goals in 49 games for the Black and Yellows across all competitions.

The early signs are promising in this campaign, too, after the official Bundesliga Twitter account suggested Aubameyang is far from a one-hit wonder:

The forward arrived at Signal Iduna Park from Saint-Etienne during the summer of 2013 and has so far struck 88 goals in 153 appearances for the German giants, an average of 0.58 goals per game.

However, Stefan Bienkowski of German outlet DW Sports has hinted there are still parts of his game for the 27-year-old to improve upon if he's to truly outline himself as one of the world's greatest finishers:

Aubameyang's own preference could come to play a major part in any deal, too, considering the former AC Milan youngster has never made a secret of his intention to one day represent Real in his career.

Spanish newspaper Marca recently provided quotes from the striker after he told French magazine Onze Mondial of his desire to play for Los Merengues and described the Spanish giants as the "club of my heart."

He said: "Madrid is the club of my heart and I promised my grandfather I would play for Real one day. It is a goal, I still have time. I do not mean to provoke interest, if Madrid want me they can come and get me, but so far they have not done so... unfortunately."

BBC Sport's Oluwashina Okeleji previously cited reports from German daily Bild that supported claims Dortmund had agreed to let their forward leave the club, potentially as early as next year:

Elsewhere, Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha (h/t Goal) reported Sporting youngster Gelson is attracting attention from the Santiago Bernabeu following his fine form in the UEFA Champions League.

It's said Real will scout the 21-year-old winger when Sporting face Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, although his €60 million (£54 million) release clause could present an obstacle. That being said, Gelson only earns €120,000 (£108,000) per year, and Sporting are desperate to agree a new deal with their star.