The news came as a huge surprise on Wednesday night when it was revealed that Borussia Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel decided to leave the club’s leading goal scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of the squad just hours before the Champions League clash against Sporting Lisbon.

The 27-year-old striker was forced to watch his side’s 1-0 victory from the stands as he ended up being suspended for “internal reasons”.

The reason behind such a surprising decision was revealed on Thursday as it was reported that the Gabonese international got punished for an unsanctioned trip to Italy.

Aubameyang went to Italy to attend a party with his friends at the Hotel Billa Borghi in Varese, it was reported.

Thomas Tuchel did not take too kindly to Aubameyang’s disrespect of the club rules as he ended suspending his key man for the game.

The manager confirmed after the match that Aubameyang will be back to the squad in time for the Bundesliga clash with Hamburg at the weekend, but the latest development will have raised plenty of questions over the player’s future at the Bungesliga club.

Aubameyang has been heavily linked with a move away from BVB in recent months, with Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Manchester City believed to be keen to acquire his services.

The player himself revealed he had been approached by the French champions, while he doesn’t hide he would love to play for Real Madrid in the future as Los Blancos are the club of his heart.

Pep Guardiola would also love to see the prolific striker at the Etihad Stadium and it is believed that latest developments will only add fuel to transfer speculation.

Aubameyang scored 10 goals in 13 appearances this season and his return to the fold will be a timely boost as BVB continue to struggle domestically.

Already eight points behind Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund are sitting in sixth place in the standings and will be keen to kick-start their league campaign after securing the Champions League knockout stage progress during the week.

BVB are given the betting odds of 1.48 (10/21) @Ladbrokes to secure three points at HSV this weekend.