Alexis Sanchez told to train with Arsenal youth team as Arsene Wenger closes in on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan
But boss Arsene Wenger has been hammered by Borussia Dortmund for speaking about the hitman before the deal was sealed
ARSENE WENGER is close to bagging £53million Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang — despite being branded ‘disrespectful’ by the striker’s club.
Arsenal are ready to pay the Borussia Dortmund star £170,000 a week to replace Alexis Sanchez, who was told to train with the Gunners’ kids yesterday ahead of his move to Manchester United.
But Emirates boss Wenger was hammered by the German club for speaking about Gabon hitman Auba before the deal was sealed.
Sporting director Michael Zorc blasted: “We find it disrespectful to voice opinions about players of other teams. There is no contact with Arsenal.
“We assume that Arsene Wenger has enough to do, looking after the performance of his own players."
Aubameyang, who will be given a three and a half year deal by the Gunners, was later axed from Dortmund’s squad for tonight’s visit to Hertha Berlin.
Zorc added: “He’s practising in Dortmund. We felt he is not 100 per cent with his mind focused. We’ll see if this will help him. It's a difficult situation.”
Aubamayeng, 28, would become Arsenal’s record signing — his £53m fee being £1m more than they will eventually pay Lyon for Alexandre Lacazette.
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The maverick striker has been dropped and fined by Dortmund this season for behavioural issues, including bad time-keeping.
But when asked whether a player with his character would fit in at Arsenal, Wenger replied: “Yes, because I believe overall you look at the achievements of a player during his career and usually, when a career has been very positive, his character has been used in a positive way.”
Aubameyang is expected to link up with former Dortmund team-mate Henrikh Mkhitaryan – with the Manchester United man’s swap deal with Sanchez expected to be sealed today.
Sanchez is set to become the Premier League’s highest-paid player on £505,000 per week – although Wenger was adamant he would only move to United if Mkhitaryan made the opposite switch.
And Arsenal are pushing United for £10m cash plus the player-swap because they believe Sanchez’s valuation is higher than the Armenian’s.
Wenger added: “I’ve worked on transfers for 30 years, so (I know) it is likely to happen. But at any moment, at any minute, things can break down.
These kind of things are never guaranteed.”
The Arsenal boss insisted it was "my understanding" that Mkhitaryan was lined up to move to Arsenal and that his wages would not be an obstacle.
Wenger added: “We played many times against him (Mkhitaryan) when he was at Dortmund. He certainly appreciated the quality of our game and the way we play football. That’s why certainly he loves the club as well.
“This would be an exchange of players, and I think one would replace the other.
Yes, Alexis and Mkhitaryan could happen.
“I have had no problem with Alexis Sanchez. His attitude has been outstanding with us. He was in training (on Wednesday), fully committed and prepared 100 per cent.
“One thing you cannot question about Alexis Sanchez is his professionalism and his commitment.
“After that, he’s 29 years old and the next contract will of course be very important for him.”
United midfielder Jesse Lingard joked about Sanchez undergoing a medical at his club yesterday in a further indication that the Old Trafford club were confident of an imminent move.