Borussia Dortmund to block Everton's interest in signing Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang in January

Borussia Dortmund will not be tempted to cash in on Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang during the January transfer window, dashing Everton and Liverpool's ambitious hopes of luring the striker to Merseyside.

Aubameyang has been a potent force up front for Dortmund since his arrival from Saint-Etienne in 2013 but his disciplinary problems continue to frustrate the club. The Gabon international was suspended in November for a crucial Bundesliga clash with Stuttgart, with reports at the time suggesting he was reprimanded for repeatedly turning up late for training sessions.

Bild reported at the start of December the relationship between the player and the club soured further after that incident, suggesting Aubameyang is now keen to find a new club in January. The German publication named Everton, Liverpool and Chelsea as interested parties with his former side AC Milan also credited with interest.

Peter Bosz's side were open to selling the striker in the summer transfer window with Liverpool reportedly front runners to secure his signature. But ultimately, Dortmund kept him after their self-proposed deadline to offload the 28-year-old passed.

A latest report from Sport Bild now insists the club will not be forced into letting him go mid-season and want to keep him to ensure the club qualify for next season's Champions League after their dismal exit from the competition this term.

Everton boss Sam Allardyce has made bringing in a new striker a priority during the January window, with the club still to adequately replace Romelu Lukaku following his summer move to Manchester United.

The former England manager was coy on reports linking the club with an audacious move for Aubameyang, but admits bringing in any established centre forward during the January window will be difficult.

"Possibly," Allardyce said when asked about a move for Aubameyang in his press conference ahead of Everton's clash with Liverpool on Sunday (10 December). "But it's the hardest thing to recruit today, a centre-forward that scores goals. Is it the right type of centre-forward? It's the most expensive area of the pitch."