Arsenal scuppered in pursuit of fleet-footed Dortmund striker
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Any hopes Arsenal had of adding the considerable pace of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the already swift options in their current forward line have been dealt a blow.
Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke has told the Gunners in no uncertain terms that they will not be able to prise the Gabon international away, as he is not for sale.
Aubameyang scored 16 goals in a struggle of a campaign for Dortmund last term, weighing in with 26 in all competitions in his sophomore season with the German club.
Considering Jurgen Klopp’s former team only managed to qualify for the Europa League with a seventh-place finish in the Bundesliga, it’s understandable that more regular Champions League outfits are sniffing around their most prized assets.
Paris Saint-Germain had joined Arsenal in their pursuit of the 26-year-old striker, but Watzke is adamant Der BVB will not budge on their stance.
“Aubameyang stays with us this season. He’s not for sale,” he told German publication Bild am Sonntag this weekend.
The 59-year-old should feel mighty confident of keeping his man too, having already successfully batted away the vultures circling around Ilkay Gundogan this summer.
Dortmund’s denial leaves the Gunners with only one senior signing to speak of so far this summer, albeit an important one in the shape of Petr Cech to tend their goal.
Nevertheless, a world-class striker remains on Arsene Wenger’s wishlist as he looks to add the finishing touches to a squad that is rated as the Premier League’s third favourites with Ladbrokes, at 9/2.
As he returns to the drawing board, the Frenchman may need to revisit the possibility of signing Karim Benzema, who is 5/1 to sign for Arsenal by the end of the summer transfer window.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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