Premier League giant Arsenal are close to an agreement to sign Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund for about £60m.
But the transfer will not be sanctioned until Dortmund have a replacement lined up, with Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud among the reported options. Arsenal have already had two bids for the 28-year-old rejected by Dortmund. Aubameyang featured in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Freiburg – his first start for the German club since 16 December. Dortmund have said they are prepared to sell him if “certain parameters are fully met”. The Bundesliga club turned down a bid of 50m euros (£43.64m) from Arsenal on Wednesday.
Aubameyang was suspended by the club for their match against Wolfsburg on 14 January for missing a team meeting. The Gabon forward was also left out of the squad for the game at Hertha Berlin last weekend because club officials felt he was not focused enough, but he played 90 minutes in the draw with Freiburg on Sunday. “We are ready to realise a transfer under certain parameters but only if these are fully met,” sporting director Michael Zorc told German TV. “We have a clear position. Arsenal has started several attempts so far. We have up to now refused them all.” Arsenal are looking for Aubameyang to replace Chile forward Alexis Sanchez, who joined Manchester United earlier this month in a swap deal with midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
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