Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has insisted that he is happy to stay at the club and has no regrets over signing a contract extension.
The Gabon international has established himself as one of the most prolific forwards in Europe, scoring 35 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions so far this season.
With Dortmund chasing silverware both home and abroad still, the 26-year-old has reiterated that his future remains with the club despite previously suggesting that would be open to a move to Real Madrid, ESPN FC noted.
Furthermore, speculation has also linked the former AC Milan starlet with a move to Arsenal, as per The Mirror, but it appears as though he has no intention of leaving his current employers.
“Dortmund is a city which is totally crazy about football,” he told Kicker, as reported by FourFourTwo.
“In the last years, we have the highest average attendance in Europe. The city is safe and my family feels at home.
“I’ve never made a secret of [the fact] I would someday like to play for Real Madrid, but I also have not extended my contract at BVB until 2020 without a reason. I feel very good here.”
His latest comments will come as a blow to both Madrid and Arsenal, who would arguably have been preparing to make a move in the summer to bolster their respective attacking options.
Nevertheless, Aubameyang’s loyalty to Dortmund should be commended, provided that he doesn’t have his head turned at the end of the season. Given that he is currently a focal point of the club’s plans which has led to great success both on an individual and collective level, it would seem nonsensical to disrupt that situation.
Admittedly, to turn down a move to Madrid is likely a difficult decision for any player. However, Aubameyang has the opportunity to continue to compete for honours both domestically and in Europe as long as Dortmund continue to build, improve and show their ambition by strengthening their squad.
After back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012, they will now be desperate to take advantage of a transitional period at Bayern Munich next season with Carlo Ancelotti replacing Pep Guardiola in the Allianz Arena hotseat this summer.