BORUSSIA Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has fuelled speculation he could be set for a January move to the Premier League after missing the club’s first day of training back from the winter break.

According to AFP (h/t Sky Sports), the striker was absent with the club tweeting, “He missed training due to a personal appointment. Will be back tomorrow.” Though as the report noted, Arsenal have been linked with a move for him.

Per AFP, his team-mate Matthias Ginter said: “We all hope he’ll (Aubameyang) stay. He’s very important, on the pitch and off, for what he contributes to the group atmosphere.”

Earlier this season, Bundesliga expert Clark Whitney drew parallels between winger-turned-striker Aubameyang and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry:

While comparing almost any player to one of Henry’s stature in talent is a bold claim indeed, Aubameyang has been in majestic form this season racking up a staggering 27 goals and six assists in 27 appearances.

As Whitney also noted, the Gabon international is therefore crucial to BVB’s fortunes and so they are unlikely to part with him, particularly for anything less than a fortune:

To land a player of his quality in January is always exceedingly difficult, while frugal Gunners boss Arsene Wenger might also be reluctant to splash the cash on a player he once turned down in a relatively cheap deal.

The 26-year-old is a quick and prolific player who could add further cutting edge to Arsenal’s attack—one that would give them a serious advantage over struggling rivals like Manchester United and Chelsea.

Arsenal might need to wait until at least the summer to get him, though, if they’re able and willing to prise him away from Dortmund at all.

• Culled from Bleacher Report