BAD RAGAZ, Switzerland - Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke has dismissed reports striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could move to China at the end of the year.
"We are confident that he will play for Borussia Dortmund this season. A scenario under which this is not the case is currently difficult to imagine," Watzke said at the team's training camp in Bad Ragaz, Switzerland.
The Gabon international has been the subject of transfer speculation ahead of the Bundesliga season, with some reports saying he could now leave Dortmund during the Bundesliga winter break.
Dortmund had set its own deadline on a possible summer transfer of last season's league top scorer, which ended some two weeks ago.
"What was constructed on transfer rumours in some media in recent weeks was complete madness in part," Watzke said.
Watzke, 58, is hoping the coming season under new coach Peter Bosz will see a more settled period for the club.
Dortmund experienced a difficult year which saw the departure of coach Thomas Tuchel, a bomb attack on the team bus and the temporary closure of its south stand following incidents in a match against Leipzig.
"When we look at the past eight to 10 years, it was definitely the most difficult year for us all," he said.
"I think especially the (events of the) past half year really affected all those involved."