Mourinho and Guardiola go head-to-head for Dortmund star
Manchester United and Manchester City are set to battle it out for the signing of prolific Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The £65 million-rated Gabon international has been in sensational form for BVB this season, and has shone since the departure of Robert Lewandowski to Bayern Munich in 2014. And rivals Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola are now ready to go head-to-head to capture the 36-goal striker.
Aubameyang has been linked with the biggest clubs across Europe, including Arsenal and Real Madrid. While the Gabonese striker has, in the past, admitted he would love to play in Spain.
But despite Aubameyang being contracted at the Westfalenstadion until 2020, it seems inevitable that the 26-year-old will leave the club this summer, or next.
Arsenal are seemingly out of the race for the striker, after turning their attentions to £20 million-rated England striker Jamie Vardy. But despite United’s pursuit of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, they still want to land Aubameyang as a long-term acquisition.
Ibrahimovic is 34 now, and it is not expected that the Sweden international will stay at Old Trafford for the long term, putting Aubameyang in the frame also.
Meanwhile, Guardiola has already signed Aubameyang’s former Dortmund teammate Ilkay Gundogan for City, and will be given the funds to build a team capable of consistently competing in the latter stages of the Champions League.
Retired Gabon international Daniel Cousin has claimed Aubameyang wants a move to the Premier League.
“I think he wants to move to England,” said Cousin. “The Premier League is a different style to Germany; it’s more physical and, for me, it’s a good moment for Pierre to move to a big club like Manchester United or Manchester City.
“With Mourinho at Man United, and Guardiola [at City], I think this kind of coach can help Pierre-Emerick to progress.”
Aubameyang made his breakthrough with AS Monaco, before going on to join Saint-Etienne and then make his name with Borussia Dortmund.
