Arsenal determined to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in a £53.4m deal after agreeing personal terms with the Borussia Dortmund hitman, according to different reports today.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is in the market for a new forward to replace Alexis Sanchez who is believe to be on his way to Manchester United before the end of this month.
Malcom has been strongly linked with the Gunners but Sky Sports transfer expert Guillem Balague reported on Sunday that the North London club were also looking to sign Aubameyang as Arsenal didn’t consider the latter to be a direct replacement for the Chile international.
Balague has now claimed that the club are growing increasingly optimistic on the prospect on signing Aubameyang and believe a £53.4m fee would be enough to hijack the Gabonese forward from Dortmund over the coming days.
Aubameyang was axed from the Bundesliga’s team squad over the weekend for disciplinary reasons and Balague claims the 28-year-old is now keen on a move to the Emirates.
He’s quoted at telling Sky Sports:
“Arsenal have a few signings they want to confirm in the next few days. One of them they want to close and finalise is Aubameyang.
“They are willing to pay 60m euros. So they hope Dortmund accepts, and are very optimistic that this could be the case. There are other clubs interested but right now Arsenal is ahead of them, but nothing has been finalised yet.
“It would take perhaps longer than Alexis’ sale, but they’re putting all their efforts on it. They think he would be a perfect replacement to Alexis, and would work really well with Alexandre Lacazette.
“Aubameyang wants a deal, Arsenal want a deal, but we’ll have to see what Dortmund say about it. It won’t be the only signing Arsenal make, as they are after two more to strengthen this month to reinforce the side. As we saw at the weekend, they need it.”
Aubameyang to Arsenal news comes after German football expert Lee Price claimed the club have already agreed terms with the player over a contract that will make him the highest paid player in the clubs history.
Price, who has written books about the Bundesliga league and has a solid track record of providing accurate transfer news, also says that while the FA Cup holders aren’t Aubameyang’s first transfer choice, the Gabonese has rejected a big-money move to China in order to move to the Premier League.
He was quoted by the Daily Express as saying:
“Aubameyang has wanted out of Dortmund for more than a year. They were keen to cash in last summer despite agreeing a new deal.
“It was Dortmund’s belief that the Premier League cash would come eventually and it appears they will now get their wish.
“The player, meanwhile, rejected a move to China in the belief he would get a move to one of the European big boys.
“Arsenal would not have been his first choice but it’s very much a match of convenience. He wants to come to the Premier League and they need to replace Sanchez.
“I understand the contract which has been agreed will make him the club’s record earner ever. It’s now up to a fee to be agreed with Arsenal and the Sanchez sale to be wrapped up.”
There’ve been other several media outlets throughout Europe reporting Arsenal’s strong interest in signing the player so it looks like this transfer has some grounds and could happen before the window get closed.
Aubameyang has netted 21 goals in 23 games this season and has been one of the most impressive striker in Europe over the past few years so he’d certainly provide a much-needed goal threat if we do manage to pull this off.