In a sign that Arsenal will be taking a different approach to transfers going forward, the Gunners are reportedly closing in on a deal for Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud is expected to move to Dortmund also.
Arsene Wenger has had reservations about the striker in the past which have been reflected in his recent indiscipline, but Wenger is not making the decisions anymore. That job has fallen to the Gunners new head of recruitment Sven Mislintat, who came from Dortmund.
Mislintat believes that Aubameyang will respond to a change in environment and that he can provide the goals that will be lacking once Alexis Sanchez departs for Manchester.
Dortmund have grown tired of Aubameyang’s antics off the field, with sporting director Michael Zorc saying:
‘At some point you can’t tolerate it [a lack of discipline] anymore.
‘I don’t know what’s going on inside his head. We had a very contentious discussion today.
‘We’re not used to this behaviour from him. It can’t go on like this. I don’t know what is going through his mind. I don’t recognise him anymore.’
Aubameyang’s off-the-field issues have overshadowed what a goal machine he is. He has scored 125 goals for Dortmund in the last 3 1/2 seasons.
What would Aubameyang’s arrival say about the future of Arsenal record summer signing Alexandre Lacazette? Lacazette cost the Gunners £46.5 million plus up to £6.1 million in potential bonuses when he arrived from Lyon. But the French international has struggled to settle in the Premier League, scoring only 8 goals in25 appearances this summer.
What do you think of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Arenal fans? Would he be a good replacement for Alexis Sanchez?