Evergrande quick to curb Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang rumours after concerned CFA threatens action over ‘bidding war’

Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou Evergrande have flatly denied they were trying to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund and have threatened to sue the media for fabricating the rumour.

In a public announcement made on Tuesday, the seven-time title winners said the reports of offering an “inappropriate amount of adjustment fee” laid down by the Chinese Football Association to secure a player from the German top flight side was “totally untrue”.

“The report was already rejected by the relevant German club when they were interviewed by their own media,” the club said. “Our club always strictly follow the rules of the CFA of signing players and reserve the rights for legal action against those media”.

The Chinese heavyweights did not name Aubameyang in the statement, but it was a clear reference to the 28-year-old France-born Gabon international.

Over the weekend, there were reports saying Evergrande and Beijing Guoan were battling to sign the Dortmund striker with the reported bidding war raising the concerns of the CFA, which said in a statement, “The news of two clubs suspected of engaging in a bidding war on a transfer has caused social concern,” it said, adding that it was “highly concerned” and had asked them to explain.