GERMANY: Dortmund get their Aubameyang

Bundesliga runners-up Borussia Dortmund began their pre-season training on Thursday morning with Gabon international striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang set to join from Ligue 1 side AS Saint Etienne.

“He has been given permission to attend a medical examination. The fee and financial packages are still to be agreed but I have no doubt that we will reach an agreement,” said Saint Etienne club president Roland Romeyer.

Dortmund’s director Michael Zorc has been in France since Monday afternoon and confirmed they are in talks with the 24-year-old, who scored 19 goals and created 14 assists as Saint Etienne finished fifth in Ligue 1 last season.

“We are confident the transfer will happen quickly,” Zorc told the Ruhr Nachrichten newspaper.

Aubameyang is reported to be set to sign a five-year deal, for a cost of €13m and would be Dortmund’s second transfer of the summer after Greek defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos signed for €9.5m from Werder Bremen.

Coach of the Champions League finalists Jurgen Klopp told Sky Sport News: “Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a very interesting player, but I can not say more until tomorrow.”

Bayer Leverkusen and Premier League pair Everton and Newcastle United were also said to be chasing Aubameyang, who last season helped Saint Etienne win their first trophy (Coupe de la Ligue) for 31 years.

Dortmund are in training at Kirchberg, Austria, until Saturday and have a pre-season tournament on July 20th and 21st hosted by Borussia Mönchengladbach, where the new Gabonese striker will be looking to feature.

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