Aubameyang to stay at Dortmund as club's transfer deadline passes

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is no longer on the market.

Borussia Dortmund has decided to keep the 28-year-old star striker after its self-imposed deadline to find a new team for him passed.

"We consider the transfer window closed for him, because we otherwise would have run out of time (to find replacements)," sporting director Michael Zorc told reporters Tuesday, according to ESPN FC's Stephan Uersfeld.

Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke had previously told potential suitors - among them Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and AC Milan - that they had a few days to submit offers.

But it appears none arrived in time.

Only a bid exceeding €100 million would force the German club to reconsider its stance, according to kicker's Matthias Dersch.

Milan confirmed on the weekend that Aubameyang, who pipped Robert Lewandowski to claim the Bundesliga scoring crown last season, was one of its targets. Chelsea also emerged as a potential destination after Romelu Lukaku opted to sign with Manchester United. Meanwhile, cash-rich Tianjin Quanjian's interest faded, and any lingering hope of a big-money move evaporated when the Chinese Super League's transfer window closed last week.

Milan had an opportunity to negotiate with Dortmund's hierarchy in person, as the two clubs prepared to face one another in the first of their pre-season fixtures in Guangzhou, China.

Incidentally, Aubameyang scored twice in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Rossoneri.

Knowing it cannot match some of the salaries other clubs can offer, Dortmund placed Aubameyang on the market. But BVB, whose young players always attract attention at this time of year, stood firm on its transfer policy.

"I'm glad that he is in my team," new manager Peter Bozsz said. "He's an extraordinary player, a great guy, and a great footballer."

Since joining Dortmund in 2013, the Gabonese international has steadily improved and become one of world football's most prolific poachers. He scored 40 goals in 47 matches across all competitions last season.