Dortmund determined to keep Real Madrid target Aubameyang

Borussia Dortmund may be compelled to consider an offer from Real Madrid for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but they do not expect the player to seek a transfer, according to chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke.

Aubameyang, 27, has often been linked with Madrid in recent seasons and has publicly expressed his admiration for the heavyweight LaLiga club.

The prolific Gabon international striker, who rescued a point in a 1-1 Bundesliga draw at home to Hertha Berlin on Friday, is a prized asset at Signal Iduna Park, particularly since the departure of Robert Lewandowski to Bayern Munich in 2014.

Having seen a succession of star players lured away by the riches on offer elsewhere, Watzke knows Dortmund will have a battle on their hands if they are to retain Aubameyang in the face of interest from the Spanish capital.

But the CEO is adamant the club is in a strong position and claimed the forward has not been agitating for a move.

“If someday there is something from Real Madrid, who he has an affection for, we have to talk about it,” he told Sky.

“[But] this [transfer] will not happen automatically.

“We want him to stay with us. As opposed to the players who left us recently, he has a long contract which runs until 2020. There is no pressure at all. And I am not under the impression that he wants to move.”

Aubameyang scored when Dortmund drew 2-2 at home to Madrid in the Champions League last month and he could have another opportunity to impress in the return fixture at Santiago Bernabeu on December 7.