Arsenal given boost in Aubameyang pursuit

Arsenal target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's relationship with Borussia Dortmund may have reached breaking point, according to reports in Germany.

Aubameyang, who has been the subject of two rejected Arsenal bids with Dortmund holding out for £56million, has come in for heavy criticism from the German press due to his personality and lifestyle.

And according to Sky Sports Germany, members of Dortmund's hierarchy are now ready to cut all ties with Aubameyang, which would give Arsenal a boost in their pursuit of the Gabon striker.

Hans-Joachim Watske and Michael Zorc are understood to hold the opinion that it would be better for all parties involved to 'break up'.

Aubameyang was dropped by Dortmund for disciplinary reasons for the second time this season before the draw at home to Wolfsburg on January 14, and also missed the game away to Hertha Berlin five days later.

However, Dortmund boss Peter Stoger has now taken a more conciliatory approach to matters, after naming Aubameyang in the squad to take on Freiburg on Saturday in Bundesliga.

Stoger has recently praised Aubameyang, who was named Bundesliga top scorer last season, for his professionalism.

Stoger said: 'It comes to what I have always said in recent days, if Auba trained well all week long, if he is clear and focused, then he is indispensable in our squad.

'Auba has a very good, very concentrated and professional training week behind him and has always given the impression that he wants to give everything against Freiburg, and because that's the case, we would like to use his quality, of course.'

Whether Aubameyang moves to Arsenal remains to be seen, but the Gunners will have to move fast to get their man.