Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke says Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joined Arsenal for money

Add as preferred source on Google

Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has suggested that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s departure from the German club in January 2018 was motivated by money.

Spotrac claim that Aubameyang now earns £200,000 every week at Arsenal and Watzke says that Aubameyang may enjoy the riches but not playing in the Champions League should sting.

As per German outlet Suddeutsche Zeitung, Watzke said: “Of course it is hard to keep a player in the face of such sums. Some go to clubs because of this money, where they have not played Champions League for years.

“Aubameyang, who plays great at Arsenal, will probably be warm-hearted when he looks at his bank account, but on Wednesdays will be saddened when he has to watch the Champions League on television.”

TBR’s View – Dortmund’s model is largely based on selling players at high prices

Borussia Dortmund have reestablished themselves as a Champions League force with a smart scouting system based around securing talented players early and selling them for big money once they become stars.

Watzke can take a swipe at Aubameyang but his departure falls into line with Dortmund’s business model; it creates money and space to sign the likes of Jadon Sancho, and he will soon leave for big bucks too.

Aubameyang might well have expected Arsenal to be back in the Champions League by now. They were 90 minutes away from it in Baku, and one point off the top four in the Premier League.