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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: Olivier Giroud could have big say in Arsenal deal

Last updated on .From the section European Footballcomments420

The Aubameyang-Giroud-Llorente-Batshuayi transfer merry-go-round!

Arsenal's £60m move for Borussia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hinges on two more transfers being agreed.

And Gunners striker Olivier Giroud may have the biggest say in whether the deal is completed before Wednesday's 23:00 GMT deadline.

Arsenal have agreed a fee with Dortmund and personal terms with Gabon international Aubameyang, even going so far as to tentatively arrange a medical for the 28-year-old on Wednesday morning.

BBC Sport's David Ornstein guided us through the complicated Aubameyang transfer merry-go-round as it stood at the very start of deadline day...

Option one - the straight swap

Giroud was lined up as part of the deal to replace Aubameyang at Dortmund.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is fond of Giroud, but the 31-year-old France striker has been told he will not get the game time he needs before this summer's World Cup in Russia.

But Chelsea, in the market for a tall target man, make an offer to Giroud, who would prefer to stay in London. So...

Option two - the three-way deal

Dortmund turn their attention to Blues striker Michy Batshuayi, who is allowed to leave - on loan - in January. The 24-year-old Belgium international is keen.

A seemingly simple solution presents itself: Aubameyang to Arsenal, Giroud to Chelsea and Batshuayi to Dortmund.

However, Chelsea are not keen to pay Arsenal's asking price for Giroud - a reported £30m-£35m. So...

Option three - enter Llorente

Exploring other options, Chelsea then hold talks with Tottenham to swap Batshuayi for Spanish forward Fernando Llorente, 32.

The Blues prefer a loan, Spurs are keen on a permanent deal - but Batshuayi rejects the move anyway because he wants to be a first-choice striker, not go from being behind Alvaro Morata at Stamford Bridge to being back-up for Harry Kane at Tottenham. So...

Option four... back to option two

Let's back this up and return to Aubameyang going to Arsenal, Batshuayi joining Dortmund and Giroud moving to Chelsea to complete the equation.

But will Arsenal reach an agreement with the Blues?

If not, will Chelsea find an alternative to replace Batshuayi?

If not, and Batshuayi stays, will Dortmund find another striker to replace Aubameyang? The Bundesliga side have previously said he will not be allowed to leave without an alternative in place.

What does Arsene Wenger make of it all?

Speaking in the wake of his side's 3-1 defeat by Swansea on Tuesday, Arsenal manager Wenger said that given the deal's complexities it was difficult to foresee if it would be completed.

"The deals nowadays are so complicated. As long as you are not finished, to be confident doesn't help too much," he said.

"We will inform you tomorrow because it is deadline day tomorrow."

The Frenchman also praised the attitude of compatriot Giroud, who signed for the Gunners for a reported £12m in June 2012, agreeing that he would be sad to see him leave.

"We have come together through good and bad, but always his behaviour was top, top class," Wenger added.

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420 comments

  • Comment posted by scanattack, at 00:58 30 Jan 2018

    Giroud has been a real professional despite evident disdain from Wenger. He deserves better treatment for his selfless behavior and positive vibe. His goal record isn’t too bad either. Respect and good luck from a Spurs fan.

  • Comment posted by mac_abre, at 01:59 30 Jan 2018

    Giroud has always been faithful to Arsenal, and for me he is an unsung hero, because our focus is always on the first 11 and no player apparently worth their salt wants to be a sub, but I have not heard him complain, or push for a move away, not that he is happy currently. His family are settled, and so if he goes to Chelsea, they will be a classier team for his inclusion.

  • Comment posted by Lost Sock, at 01:21 30 Jan 2018

    27, nice to see someone else rate Giroud, I'm not even an Arsenal fan and I think he's class. He offers much more than people think and his record for France shows he's a lot better than people give him credit for. He's wasted as a bit player, needs a good run of games with the right service. Someone like Mkhi will get him goals. He kept Lacazette out the French team for good reason.

  • Comment posted by Mike, at 00:54 30 Jan 2018

    Giroud doesn't want to change hairdressers, it's understandable.

  • Comment posted by workman77, at 00:55 30 Jan 2018

    Only Arsenal could get themselves in this pickle!!!

  • Comment posted by U16906610, at 00:57 30 Jan 2018

    What a mess... Arsenal should of just paid the 60 weeks ago when Dortmund asked for it!?

  • Comment posted by U15567490, at 00:55 30 Jan 2018

    I think Giroud as been a decent squad player, and not had a fair chance, unoike some of the others we have had

  • Comment posted by TKGriffiths, at 00:49 30 Jan 2018

    Put this tripe in the gossip column if you won't cite any sources.

  • Comment posted by nono11, at 02:31 30 Jan 2018

    N17

    Where do you get your constant stream of rubbish from? Since 2008 Lacazette has scored 132 goals. Since 2013 Aubameyang has scored 144 goals excluding the goals he has scored for Gabon. Up until 2 weeks ago Aubameyang had scored 68 goals in his last 79 games for Dortmund. Not exactly the like for like strike rate as Lacazette that you claim.

    I’ve never known anyone talk so much crap.

  • Comment posted by abrdoll, at 00:50 30 Jan 2018

    not a single source was seen that day

  • Comment posted by Bob Young, at 03:15 30 Jan 2018

    As a Chelsea Fan --what the hell is going on at Chelsea in the Transfer Dept. They sell -Loan good young players Target players at the wrong end of their job life and then fail to get them No wonder Conte is pissed off

  • Comment posted by Runcorn_Mac, at 02:31 30 Jan 2018

    I hope Giroud stays at Arsenal. Always works hard for the team and I can't understand why he doesn't feature in more games than he does. Has a great attitude at all times and will be missed if he goes.

  • Comment posted by Scorpionwinger, at 06:08 30 Jan 2018

    I don’t get why we need to move Giroud on. For all his flaws he’s a clever player, gives us a different dimension, scores plenty of goals and is very loyal. Rather him than Wellbeck. But of course, for all the record transfer fees that Arsenal spend, we’d end the window with a trading profit and no net spend. And with 2 in and 4 out a smaller squad and lower wage bill. Smoke and mirrors!

  • Comment posted by r0ssdaboss, at 01:18 30 Jan 2018

    Letting Giroud go would be a big mistake.
    He's been a quality player, decent scoring record, good link up play, has different qualities than the other forwards and popular amongst the dressing room.
    It's just a shame he got injured in the part of the season he would have actually got game time and potentially cemented a place in the first team.
    I'd offer Welbeck over Giroud.

  • Comment posted by parkylane street, at 06:26 30 Jan 2018

    Giroud is a fab player, don't know what goes through people's heads.

  • Comment posted by Davido, at 07:13 30 Jan 2018

    Gutted Giroud will probably be leaving. This guy has played with heart throughout his Arsenal career. Guaranteed to get you goals and has excellent link-up play. Been battered constantly by the pundits but always proves his worth. Will miss the big fella coming off the bench to score. But to Chelsea? He’ll be in the same predicament there surely? Needs to go to West Ham or Palace.

  • Comment posted by Topside Highbury, at 01:18 30 Jan 2018

    Keep Giroud...please, and play him too. Both him and Lacazette are quality players but our generally slow build up play doesn’t help. Lacazette makes fantastic runs and barely ever gets a through ball. Giroud’s link up play would also suit Lacazette. Play them together....

  • Comment posted by PM, at 07:55 30 Jan 2018

    In short - Aubameyang is not signing for Arsenal...

  • Comment posted by trigg, at 01:12 30 Jan 2018

    So Arsenal not content at selling Sanchez to United might now sell Giroud to Chelsea, Fergie wouldn’t sell Liverpool a can of Heinz but Wenger unloading like my kids when they had enough of playing monopoly and can’t get rid quick enough lol

  • Comment posted by kdp273, at 07:41 30 Jan 2018

    I'm a Spurs fan, but I think most fair minded fans everywhere would recognise that Giroud has been a good player for Arsenal, and from a distance at least, the treatment of him by the club over the last 12 months has been very shabby. Good luck to him, and the indecision and flip flopping by Arsenal will surely give them everything they deserve!

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