NEW signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been confirmed as Arsenal’s new No.7, sparking talks on social media the iconic No.14 shirt is being reserved for target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
With reports in the UK saying Arsenal are stepping up their chase for the Borussia Dortmund star, there have also been a host of conspiracy theories as Aubameyang was pictured packing boxes into his car.
The Telegraph reports Arsenal are in “pole position” to sign both Aubameyang and West Brom defender Jonny Evans, in a double deal which adds up to £75m (AU$131m).
Gunners gunning for striker 1:21
Chief executive Ivan Gazidis, head of recruitment Sven Mislintat and club lawyer Huss Fahmy are all in Germany to push through the move for Aubameyang, with Dortmund earlier confirming official contact had been made and a bid of £44m rejected.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger confirmed discussions were underway, still reiterating he is not yet confident the deal is close.
“Confident or not confident, I don’t know,” Wenger said when asked if he was confident of completing a deal for Aubameyang.
“You never know how close you are.
“This is the kind of thing - he is one of the possible movements, but we have other things in mind as well. We have plenty of opportunities and the final decision is not made.
“At the moment we are not close to any deal, Aubameyang or anybody else.”
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Source: AFP
There have been reports in The Mirror that Dortmund will demand Olivier Giroud as part of the deal, with Wenger failing to confirm or deny those claims.
Wenger said: “The negotiations are not as far as that.” Incredibly, in reports out of Germany, Bild report Arsenal’s signing could hit a snag over a scheduled court date for Aubameyang.
The striker is due to testify in court over last season’s team bus bombing, where Dortmund teammate Marc Bartra suffered a hand injury.
They claim Aubameyang is scheduled to testify just two days before the January transfer window slams shut – but also that he HAS agreed personal terms with the Gunners.
The reports of an agreement is reiterated by French publication RMC, with suggestions there is a “total agreement” in place with the player, with the deal to go through within two to three days once Arsenal and Dortmund have agreed terms.
RMC indicate that "several sources" believe that Dortmund & Arsenal should reach an agreement for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang within the next 2 to 3 days. — Get French Football (@GFFN) January 22, 2018
Arsene Wenger has spoken strongly about the club’s unwillingness to break the bank to sign the Gabon star, who would become the club’s top earner according to a report from German football expert Lee Price.
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“You have not to forget that we have as well financial restrictions from the banks because we have built the stadium,” said Wenger.
“If you cannot afford, you have to say ‘no, sorry, can’t do that’. After that, we have to spend the money in the most intelligent way we can on the transfer market that has become a bit out of control.”
But that hasn’t stop fan excitement over the deal, particularly after Henrikh Mkhitaryan was reported to have said “yo Pierre, do you wanna come here?” at his official unveiling.
There have been other conspiracy theories, including that Aubameyang is tweeting in code, with a hint to Arsenal, and that, according to a story by T he Daily Star, the 28-year-old will pick Thierry Henry’s famous No.14 to wear.
The mans playing us pic.twitter.com/FN9jBdfFHN — Jack (@jackdarton_) January 23, 2018
xxxxxxL = Arsenal — MR DT © (@MrDtAFC) January 23, 2018
Incredibly, a photo of Aubameyang packing boxes into his car went viral, while Arsenal’s travelling party who are in Dortmund were spotted admiring his personalised Porsche.
The Mirror report the boxes were merely gear from his personal sponsor.
Arsenal are now in pole position to sign Jonny Evans as well as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for a combined £75 million after Manchester City cooled their interest in the West Bromwich Albion defender and negotiations advanced yesterday with Borussia Dortmund.
Evans had preferred a move to Manchester City but, with the Premier League leaders now reviving their interest in Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte, Arsenal are attempting to reach agreement on a fee of around £20m.
West Brom have their own incentive to quickly complete the deal so that they have the funds to strengthen, with Alan Pardew keen to add attacking players this month and interested in Watford’s Troy Deeney.
A delegation of chief executive Ivan Gazidis, head of recruitment Sven Mislintat and lawyer Huss Fahmy are also in Germany attempting to finalise a potential club record deal for Aubameyang. An initial £44m bid was rejected but Arsenal have now indicated that they are prepared to increase their offer to around £50m, although Dortmund still value Aubameyang closer to £60m.
Loaning France striker Olivier Giroud to Dortmund is also being discussed and, with the German club keen to get an immediate replacement as well as a big transfer fee, there is confidence that a compromise will be found.
Arsene Wenger admits they are in talks with Borussia Dortmund over striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Arsene Wenger admits they are in talks with Borussia Dortmund over striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that a deal for Borussia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is under discussion.
The Gabon international forward has been strongly linked with the Gunners and Wenger says that talks are underway.
Asked if he was confident of completing a deal for Aubameyang, Wenger said: "Confident or not confident, I don't know.
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"You never know how close you are.
"This is the kind of thing - he is one of the possible movements, but we have other things in mind as well. We have plenty of opportunities and the final decision is not made.
"At the moment we are not close to any deal, Aubameyang or anybody else."
Henrikh Mkhitaryan says joining Arsenal, as part of a swap deal involving Alexis Sanchez, is a dream come true Henrikh Mkhitaryan says joining Arsenal, as part of a swap deal involving Alexis Sanchez, is a dream come true
Asked if Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud could go to Dortmund as part of any deal, Wenger said: "The negotiations are not as far as that."
Having completed a swap deal on Monday in which Alexis Sanchez went to Manchester United while Henrikh Mkhitaryan joined the Gunners, it seems Arsenal are moving on to fresh targets.
Aubameyang sat out Friday's Bundesliga trip to Berlin
And club officials have been in Germany attempting to finalise a deal for Aubameyang.
The 28-year-old is apparently in favour of a move away from Dortmund and he was left out of the squad for Friday's 1-1 draw at Hertha Berlin.
Sporting director Michael Zorc told Dortmund's Twitter feed: "We have the impression at the moment that he [Aubameyang] has his head on other things and is not fully focused."
ARSENAL’S swoop for Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could be delayed after he was called to testify in court over last season’s bus bombing.
The Bundesliga giants bus was caught up in an explosion before their Champions League clash with Monaco last season, injuring defender Marc Bartra.
Getty Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wants to join Arsenal from Dortmund
The suspect, named only as Sergei W, has been in court over the attack now Bartra and Aubameyang are set to give evidence in the ongoing case, according to Bild.
Both players will appear next Monday, just two days before the transfer window closes, resulting in a potential deal delayed.
The Gabon striker is keen to move to the Premier League after four-and-a half-years in Germany.
The 28-year-old despite several run-ins with his club has still scored 21 goals this season and has agreed personal terms with the North Londoners.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he is not any closer to a deal with Aubameyang
AP:Associated Press Borussia Dortmund bus damaged after explosion last season before Champions League clash with Monaco
EPA Aubameyang was back in training with Dortmund today
Rex Features Arsenals chief executive Ivan Gazidis was spotted in Dortmund in pictures exclusive to Bild
Gunners chief executive Ivan Gazidis was over in Dortmund to try and thrash out a deal for the forward following the departure of Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United.
Dortmund are open to doing business but Arsenal are yet match the £53million valuation.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is in desperate need to land an elite striker to boost their flagging chances of making the top four.
