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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to 'stay at Dortmund' but did ask to leave

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has told German newspaper Welt am Sonntag he will not leave Borussia Dortmund this summer but he remains open to a transfer in the future.

Aubameyang, 28, has been linked with AC Milan, Chelsea, Manchester City and Atletico Madrid since the end of last season, and admitted he told Dortmund of his desire to move on. However, a suitable offer did not materialise and he is now happy to continue in the Bundesliga.

"No-one can say what the future holds," Aubameyang said. "It is true that I spoke to Borussia Dortmund before I went on vacation.

"I told them my thoughts, that I was maybe ready to try something different. It was open and fair with Michael Zorc and Hans-Joachim Watzke.

"But none of the clubs that wanted me could make it happen. So I'll stay here at Borussia Dortmund. I like staying here very much, as I feel at home in Dortmund."

Aubameyang also received an offer to move to the Chinese Super League that he took seriously.

He said: "Of course, China was an option. It's only natural that I thought about it when they offered that much money. I know many people said I couldn't go to China because it would be a step backwards in football terms, but I think anyone would at least consider such an offer.

"I did receive an offer. However, the structures are not yet as professional as in Europe. I also noticed the back and forth when Anthony Modeste went to Tianjin Quanjian and it was anything but clear, so I set it aside.

"I believe in God and fate. I believe that everything happens for a reason, so this is the right path."

Speaking after Dortmund's German Super Cup defeat to Bayern Munich, the club's CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke confirmed Aubameyang would stay.

"I think we've made clear that he will stay with us," he said. "When we said that, the media wrote that he'll leave in January. No, he will definitely stay."

Watzke also warned Barcelona off making a bid for Ousmane Dembele and said that no amount of money would persuade them to do business.

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