Wednesday 7 December 2016 10:23, UK
Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel says the club can’t afford to sell striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Real Madrid.
Aubameyang, who has scored 69 goals in 108 Bundesliga appearances, said in February that he had promised his dying grandfather that he would one-day play for Real Madrid, but later insisted they were not the only club he would consider as his next move.
Dortmund have stood firm regarding their desire to keep the player with chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke saying: "If Real Madrid come in we will talk, but it won't be easy."
Real are currently appealing their two-transfer-window ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport but, as things stand, cannot sign any players until January 2018.
Asked about his striker's desire to play for Real Madrid, who Dortmund face in the Champions League on Wednesday, Tuchel said: "It's normal that he wants to play at Real Madrid one day, any player with his talent would like to play at one of the best teams in the world...
"But my opinion is clear. We cannot achieve our objectives without him. He's an extraordinary player, he makes everyone better."
Real and Dortmund are battling to finish top of their Champions League group but both have already qualified for the knockout stage with one game remaining.
Dortmund lead Group F and are two points ahead of Real, who must win to finish top.
