Man City's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pursuit hits snag

Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Manchester City's pursuit of Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has hit a snag, with the German club refusing to budge on their £65million valuation of the player.

City are refusing to pay that amount of money, despite incoming City boss Pep Guardiola's fondness of the striker.

The two-time Premier League champions have not yet completely ended their interest in Aubameyang, but Dortmund are determined to stand firm, meaning City will have to table a British record transfer fee to land the Gabon international.

Guardiola may have to look elsewhere for a forward to fit his requirements, and Schalke youngster Leroy Sane could fit the bill.

Primarily a winger, he can also play centrally and the 20-year-old is one of the hottest prospects in German football, the Manchester Evening News report.

City have also been strongly-linked with Spain’s versatile forward Nolito, who demonstrated his eye for goal in his country’s 3-0 win against Turkey on Friday night.

But after instructing scouts to monitor Aubameyang in recent months, Guardiola's admiration of Dortmund’s prize asset is clear.

Sources in Germany insist the man who scored 36 goals in 45 appearances this season will not be allowed to leave for less than his £65m asking price.

That has placed any potential deal at an impasse - and given Dortmund’s record in recent years, their stance must be taken seriously.

Robert Lewandowski was forced to see out the final year of his contract in 2013 - even though it meant the Germans losing him for nothing 12 months later when he completed a move to Bayern Munich.

Dortmund stood firm when Bayern Munich came knocking for Robert Lewandowski.

They’ve resisted numerous bids for Ilkay Gundogan and Mats Hummels from Europe's leading clubs over the past five years.

And even if both players have moved on this summer - Gundogan becoming Guardiola’s first signing at City - they have done so on Dortmund’s terms.

And their departures could have a bearing on City’s hopes of landing Aubameyang - with the Bundesliga club reluctant to lose so many star names in the same transfer window.

They have already blocked Manchester United’s interest in Henrikh Mkhitaryan - insisting the Armenian will be forced to see out his contract.

That Aubemayang has a price, should serve as a source of encouragement to Guardiola.

One of the most sought-after players in Europe is available - but only if the Catalan is prepared to pay up.

The deal has echoes of City’s moves for Raheem Sterling and Kevin de Bruyne last summer - who were signed for a combined fee of around £100m.

City were forced to pay a premium 12 months ago - but, crucially, both came within their own valuation.

Guardiola has had the benefit of watching Aubameyang closely over the past three years in Germany, during his time at Bayern Munich.

He will know, better than most, if the 27-year-old is a gamble worth taking.