Report: Borussia Dortmund sets sights on River Plate's Lucas Alario

Lucas Alario, comparable to Hernan Crespo and affectionately nicknamed El Pipa, is reportedly enticing the scouting department at Borussia Dortmund.

Alario is a possible substitute for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, reports Bild's Heiko Ostendorp. The Gabonese forward has allegedly agreed to join Paris Saint-Germain on a four-year contract valued at €14 million per year, and according to beIN Sports, he's purchased a villa in Neuilly-sur-Seine, a commune just west of France's capital.

European clubs are interested in Alario's services, reports Ole, but will apparently have to pay an exit clause of €18 million to sign El Pipa, who joined River from Club Atletico Colon in 2015. The Argentinian centre-forward was pivotal as Los Millonarios conquered the Copa Libertadores that year, scoring against Club Guarani in the semi-finals and finding the back of the net versus Club Tigres UANL in the final.

River reportedly hopes to retain Alario, who boasts 40 goals through 74 games in all competitions, until the end of year when the Copa Libertadores is over. Los Millonarios topped Group 3 to advance to the Round of 16 as the attack-minded footballer tallied three goals. In the 2016-17 Primera Division, he holds seven goals to his name.

At the beginning of 2017, Alario allegedly rejected a multimillion offer from a Chinese club.