Deal Close – Arsenal to offer striker to Dortmund in second Aubameyang talks

Arsenal are prepared to offload France striker Olivier Giroud to German side Borussia Dortmund as a swap deal to land Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, as re[ported in the German media.

A delegation of officials from Arsenal landed in Dortmund Yesterday, and after hours of negotiations, both sides are yet to agree on a fee, with Arsenal offering £44million – but the players club are demanding close to £60million.

And now Kicker suggests the Gunners will use the France international striker to make up the difference in fee, with Arsenal delighted to offload the FIFA Puskas award recipient if it means they land Aubameyang.

Arsenal’s second bid, which should arrive in a second round of negotiations later today, will be worth around £52m plus Olivier Giroud – though the striker will only join on loan for six-month.

The Arsenal striker is thought to be willing to head to Germany as he seeks more first-team football ahead of next summer FIFA World Cup, with his playing chances likely to be reduced further by the arrival of the African.

Interestingly, Kicker’s report suggests that the Gunners move for the former African footballer of the year is not a sudden transfer decision and they had been planning to secure his signature next summer.