‘No debate’ over Aubameyang’s Dortmund future says Tuchel amid Arsenal and Man United interest

Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel on Saturday said top scorer, and recently-crowned African Player of the Year, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will not be sold in the transfer window.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is in Gabon following his African Player of the Year triumph while the rest of the Borussia Dortmund squad train in Dubai. Steve Jordan / AFP

Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel has said top scorer, and recently crowned African Player of the Year, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will not be sold in the transfer window.

The 26-year-old striker is one of Europe’s hottest properties and has been linked with a move to the Premier League with Arsenal and Manchester United believed to be his chief admirers.

“I can’t imagine for one moment Aubameyang leaving,” Tuchel said in Dubai, where Dortmund are holding a training camp during the Bundesliga winter break.

“He is the core of the team. We have a lot still to do with him. There is no debate about it.”

In pictures: Borussia Dortmund go through the paces at winter training camp in Dubai

Aubameyang, the leading scorer in the Bundesliga with 18 goals in 17 games, is under contract at Dortmund until 2020.

His awarding of the African Player of the Year award drew remarkable criticism from fellow nominee and Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure.

“It’s sad to see Africa react in this way, it does not give importance to African things,” Toure told Radio France International.

“This is what makes the shame of Africa. To behave in this way is indecent, but what can we do? We don’t show that Africa is important in our eyes.

“We give more priority to what is happening elsewhere than to our own continent. This is what is pathetic.”

Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport