Ligue 1 club AS Saint-Étienne have revealed that they have turned down multiple offers for Newcastle United and Queens Park Rangers transfer target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, ESPN understands.
Aubameyang, 23, joined Les Verts on loan from Serie A giants AC Milan in January 2011. After a successful loan spell, the 23-year-old finalised a permanent switch to the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in December 2011.
The Gabon international striker has been an important player for Saint-Étienne ever since, netting a career-best 16 goals and seven assists in 36 league matches last term.
According to L’Equipe, Newcastle United have submitted a €10 million offer for Aubameyang, while Queens Park Rangers have offered Saint-Étienne €15 million for the Gabon striker, as per RMC.
Nonetheless, Aubameyang — who admitted that Manchester City and Manchester United were keen on signing him earlier this season — wants to finish the season at his current club.
“After rumours about a possible departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Newcastle published today in several media, AS Saint-Etienne wishes to clarify that the player, his agent and club officials have declined by mutual agreement all proposals that have been submitted so far,” read a statement on the club’s official website.
“Recognising the importance of the challenges facing the ASSE until the end of the season, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has always shown a desire to complete the sports project at the expense of financial aspects. The ASSE can only praise the state of mind of their player.”
Aubameyang has tallied eight goals — tied for fifth most in France’s top flight — and four assists in 20 league matches for eighth-place Saint-Étienne this season.
Only Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint-Germain, 19), Darío Cvitanich (Nice, 12) , Bafetimbi Gomis (Lyon, 12) and Ben Yedder (Toulouse, 9) have scored more goals than Aubameyang in Ligue 1 this term.
Milan rule out Kaka deal
AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has ruled out the possibility of Real Madrid attacking midfielder Kaka joining the club during the winter transfer window, according to ESPN.
Milan and Real Madrid have been in talks regarding a potential deal that would welcome Kaka back to the San Siro, but the player’s valuation and weekly wages have reportedly proved to be an insurmountable problem.
“There is no chance of getting Kaka now,” Galliani told Sky Sport Italia. “We are no longer working on it.”
However, Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is still hoping — perhaps desperately — a deal could be done.
Meanwhile, Galliani also made it clear that Shanghai Shenhua striker Didier Drogba would not be joining Milan during the current transfer window, despite Massimiliano Allegri’s ‘interest’ in the Ivorian.
Once again, financial considerations proved to be the stumbling block.
“For now, we are staying as we are,” added Galliani.
In other news, Milan are reportedly keen on €1.5 million-rated 16-year-old Nice striker Neal Maupay. Finally, a player the club can afford.
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