Dortmund's Aubameyang fuels transfer talk by missing training

Bundesliga leading scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has fuelled speculation he is set to leave Borussia Dortmund after missing the club's return to training following the winter break on Tuesday.

A club spokesman said the Gabon international was absent "for personal reasons" although reports have linked the 26-year-old with Premier League clubs Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.

"We all hope he'll (Aubameyang) stay," said teammate Matthias Ginter after the first training session in January for a Dortmund side who are second in the Bundesliga, eight points behind leaders Bayern Munich.

"He's very important, on the pitch and off, for what he contributes to the group atmosphere."

Aubameyang has had his best start to a season since arriving from Saint-Etienne in 2013, scoring 18 goals in 17 Bundesliga games and 27 in all competitions.

Ginter expressed the same hope regarding midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, reportedly a target for Serie A giants Juventus.

"We would be delighted if they stayed as long as possible with us. I hope they will extend their contracts."

Aubameyang is under contract with Dortmund until 2020 and Gundogan until 2017.

Dortmund leave on Thursday for a winter training camp in Dubai, before returning to league action at Borussia Moenchengladbach on January 23.
Source: AFP