Shanghai SIPG have made inroads to sign Borussia Dortmund attacker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang by making a €150 million bid for him.
According to Italian media outlet Gazetta Dello Sport, Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund have received a world-record bid worth an initial €150 million for attacker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang by Shanghai SIPG.
In addition to that, the Chinese club are preparing to offer the Gabonese a lucrative annual salary of €41 million should he decide to leave Dortmund. The Super League sides have already managed to attract players of the calibre of Oscar, Carlos Tevez and Axel Witsel, and Aubameyang could be the biggest name in the game to ply his trade in the Asia.
Most Bundesliga goals scored in 2016:
Robert Lewandowski (27)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (23)
Anthony Modeste (21)
Sandro Wagner (19) pic.twitter.com/gAyIgBzIRQ— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 23, 2016
Aubameyang, 27, has been closely linked with a move to Real Madrid, and has admitted that it would be a dream to move to the Santiago Bernabeu. Since then, Los Blancos are keeping a close eye on the player and could chip in with a move once they see out their transfer ban.
Premier League side Arsenal were also closely linked with a move for Aubameyang in the summer, but failed in their quest to lure the 27-year-old to the Emirates Stadium despite making an £80 million bid for him.
Fellow English side Manchester City are also keen on signing the Gabon international as Pep Guardiola is unhappy with certain players in his squad and could be eyeing a complete overhaul within the next few transfer windows.
While the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City have incredible pulling power, they may fail to match the colossal offers that SIPG have tabled and may end up missing out on one of their major transfer targets.
Aubameyang is expected to turn down the move as he is still in the prime of his career and will want to play in the Champions League on a regular basis. But, from the Chinese club, it is a signal of intent, and they are expected to continue to table bids of this magnitude to add flair to their new league.
