​Former Milan and Italy captain Paolo Maldini has claimed that the Rossoneri failed to realize the potential of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and never expected the striker to become a world class star.





Aubameyang joined Milan as a teenager but failed to make a single appearance for the senior side, going out on loan to Dijon, Lille and Monaco before joining St. Etienne permanently. The Gabonese striker is now plying his trade in Germany for Borussia Dortmund where has established himself as one of the best strikers in the world.





Paulo Maldini on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: Auba has reached a level that I and Milan did not expect - https://t.co/HFeK07p0eV pic.twitter.com/Yrs8kopMKK — Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) September 10, 2017





The 28-year-old wanted to move back to Milan this summer but a transfer failed to materialize and now, Maldini has hinted that he might have become too expensive for Milan.





Speaking to Bild, as reported by ​FourFourTwo, Maldini said, "Auba has reached a level I would never have expected and Milan did not expect it."





"At that time it was hard for young players, the team was just too strong. It was the right decision to leave. I am very happy for him and have met him recently and said he surprised me. He loves Milan, but he is also quite expensive now."





Happy to read that P.Maldini had some nice words about Me  i was watching him like a hero when i was in Milano #bigrespect pic.twitter.com/EGNY5rIrEJ — Aubameyang P-E (@Aubameyang7) September 10, 2017





Maldini also touched upon Neymar's world record transfer to Paris Saint-Germain and the legendary defender suggested that the move was more due to Neymar's brand than his footballing abilities.





"The market has changed. Neymar is worth it. You don't buy him only for what he does on the pitch. He is a brand. Paris wanted to show everyone they could get him, Cristiano Ronaldo or [Lionel] Messi."



