Berlin, July 19: Chelsea's acquisition of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hit a road block after the German club's sporting director declared that the market has closed on the Borussia Dortmund striker.
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Aubameyang has been linked with several clubs in Europe during this transfer window, as well as a possible move to the English Champions.
The Bundesliga top scorer was believed to be the top priority of Chelsea boss Antonio Conte after they missed out on another target Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United.
However, if recent reports and statements from club personnel are to be believed the Gabon international will now have to continue playing for the yellow and black of Dortmund in the 2017-18 season as time has run out for any club to sign him.
Dortmund's sporting director Michael Zorc told Goal on Tuesday regarding the situation: "It's quite simple. We opened this window for a certain time frame to realise if the transfer [could be done].
"But we have to put a time limit on the transfer because if he has to leave, we have to replace him. Then it gets difficult the longer the transfer window goes on. That's more or less the reason to finish it now.
When asked if the club would reconsider a deal if an insane offer came in, Zorc added: "The deadline is over. No [the club wouldn't consider a mega offer], we are going to plan with him for the new season and our intentions are the same."
New coach Peter Bosz, who has replaced Thomas Tuchel this season also hummed the same tune about the striker and insisted that he would surely want Aubameyang at Dortmund when the Bundesliga season starts on August 18.
“I am glad that he is in my team," said the Dutchman.
“He is an extraordinary player and he has shown that once more against Milan.
“He's a great bloke and a great footballer."
Aubameyang was Bundesliga's top scorer last season where he scored 31 league goals in 32 games. The 28-year-old recently appeared for Dortmund in a friendly against Milan in Guangzhou on Tuesday where he netted twice in a 3-1 victory.
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