Borussia Dortmund hierarchy ready to 'break up' with Arsenal target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang... despite striker starting in Bundesliga against Freiburg

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Arsenal target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's relationship with Borussia Dortmund may have reached breaking point, according to reports in Germany.

Aubameyang, who has been the subject of two rejected Arsenal bids with Dortmund holding out for £56million, has come in for heavy criticism from the German press due to his personality and lifestyle.

And according to Sky Sports Germany, members of Dortmund's hierarchy are now ready to cut all ties with Aubameyang, which would give Arsenal a boost in their pursuit of the Gabon striker.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been the subject of two rejected bids from Arsenal

Hans-Joachim Watske and Michael Zorc are understood to hold the opinion that it would be better for all parties involved to 'break up'.  

Aubameyang was dropped by Dortmund for disciplinary reasons for the second time this season before the draw at home to Wolfsburg on January 14, and also missed the game away to Hertha Berlin five days later. 

However, Dortmund boss Peter Stoger has now taken a more conciliatory approach to matters, after starting Aubameyang against Freiburg on Saturday afternoon in Bundesliga.

Stoger has recently praised Aubameyang, who was named Bundesliga top scorer last season, for his professionalism.  

Stoger said: 'It comes to what I have always said in recent days, if Auba trained well all week long, if he is clear and focused, then he is indispensable in our squad.

Michael Zorc (pictured) and Hans-Joachim Watske are said to be of the opinion that it would be better for Borussia Dortmund and Aubameyang to 'break up'

'Auba has a very good, very concentrated and professional training week behind him and has always given the impression that he wants to give everything against Freiburg, and because that's the case, we would like to use his quality, of course.'   

He did not play in the last two games after missing a team meeting, and in November was dropped for a defeat at Stuttgart when he did an unauthorised film shoot with a Youtuber at Dortmund's training ground.   

On Friday, manager Arsene Wenger said of Aubameyang: 'I cannot tell you more. We have nothing to announce today and at the moment we stay where we are. We will still recruit somebody, it's possible. We will try but we are not close to signing anybody.' 

Whether Aubameyang moves to Arsenal remains to be seen, but the Gunners will have to move fast to get their man. 

Aubameyang has recently been praised for his professionalism by Dortmund boss Peter Stoger