Arsenal to seal Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang transfer with Dortmund finally resigned to selling forward
German club had accused Arsene Wenger of lacking respect by talking openly about £53million target but are left with little choice but to strike a deal after player makes clear he wants out
ARSENAL are on the verge of sealing a £53million deal for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with Borussia Dortmund finally admitting defeat in their battle to keep hold of the striker.
The Gunners have been chasing the Gabon star over the past month after deciding he was the man they need to help fire the club to a top four finish this season.
Arsenal expect to seal a deal that will make Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang a Gunner
But hopes of agreeing a quick deal were knocked yesterday when the German club reacted angrily to Arsene Wenger speaking openly about the forward.
Dortmund accused Wenger of lacking respect, and the Bundesliga club were preparing to dig their heels in over sanctioning a transfer.
At the time they believed Aubameyang had been happy to stay at the club despite being left out last weekend following a disagreement with coach Peter Stoger.
But the situation turned sour last night when Stoger decided to leave Aubameyang behind when the squad travelled to take on Hertha Berlin this evening.
The 28-year-old had made it clear to Stoger he was more intent on sealing a move to the Emirates than being focused on playing for Dortmund again.
Dortmund are now left with little option to cash in on their wantaway player with Arsenal the only willing bidders in the frame.
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And the Gunners are understood to be increasingly confident they can now get the deal done to sign one of European football's most prolific strikers next week.
Aubameyang's attitude has often been questioned in Germany, but Wenger insists he has no concerns by the character of the player.
Latest Arsenal transfer talk
The Arsenal boss has been reassured that the player will fit in well at the Emirates by Sven Mislintat, their new head of recruitment who has just arrived from Dortmujnd.
And the prospect of completing the signing of a world class striker has left Wenger now happy to sanction the departure of Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United.
Sanchez will move to Old Trafford in a straight swap for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who is now close to agreeing personal terms after agent Mino Railo spent a day in talks yesterday.
With Theo Walcott sold to Everton in a £20m deal earlier this week, Wenger believes he is close to completing transfer business that will leave the squad in better shape.
He believes replacing Walcott and an unhappy Sanchez with Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang will only improve his squad.
Dortmund will now want assurances over the exact terms of the deal, but Arsenal are now in a position to make the final push and ensure he is part of their squad before the face Swansea on January 30.
