Borussia Dortmund are claimed to be ready to pull the plug on Arsenal’s deal for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang unless Olivier Giroud is allowed to move in the opposite direction this month.
The Gabon international is believed to be high on the Gunners wishlist this month, having already acquired former team-mate Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Manchester United yesterday evening.
Aubameyang is believed to be keen on this transfer, having fallen out with his club in recent months, and even having been punished and left out of the playing squad in recent weeks also.
His arrival in North London will raise questions on the importance of Olivier Giroud, who has already been limited to only the one Premier League start this term, and he has been linked with a move away from the club also.
It had been reported that the BVB club were not reliant on Giroud to arrive before allowing PEA to join the Gunners, but are now claimed to have gone the other way, and may refuse to allow their star striker to leave unless the French striker was included in the move this month.
It is being reported that Dortmund are asking for £60 Million in order to part ways with their chief goalscorer, who has notched up 21 goals in his 23 outings in all competition this term, an amazing return for a man seemingly unhappy in his current surroundings.
If the Bundesliga club are asking for Giroud in return, that would put pressure on our new signings to hit the ground running, and forcing a partnership between Alexandre Lacazette and Aubameyang could take some time to work, especially given their contrasting qualities.
I’m of the belief that Giroud would be better suited to pairing up with either option in attack, but should he be sold, that could leave us short of options, especially if we do end up playing with two up top as expected.
Should Arsenal take the plunge and let Giroud leave in order to bring in Aubameyang?
Pat J