Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola blocked a move for Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, it has been revealed.

The Athletic says City came close to signing Aubameyang in 2018 but Guardiola pulled the plug and so the star striker went to Arsenal. City had lined up a deal with Borussia Dortmund to bring Aubameyang over to the Etihad only for Guardiola to have a change of heart.

The Citizens manager lost interest in the Gabon international after hearing all about his troubling lifestyle and overall conduct during his time in Germany.

The same report suggests the forward was desperate to leave Dortmund and was left so disappointed by the Manchester giants' decision that football director Txiki Begiristain was left to apologise.

That cleared the way for Arsenal to sign Aubameyang for a then record £56million in what marked Arsene Wenger's last ever major transfer.