Sky Sports reporters Guillem Balague has suggested that Arsenal are closing on a fourth secret signing with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang seemingly close to joining the club.
The Gabon international has been identified as the Gunners’ prime target following the departure of Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United earlier in the month.
Balague has confirmed that the club have agreed on a club-record deal for his services.
Arsene Wenger’s side will part with an initial £53m with an additional £2.5m in add-ons.
The add-ons are due to be settled if the Gunners win a major trophy or progress beyond the group stage of the Champions League in the coming years.
Here is the Tweet:
ALL DONE! @Aubameyang7 will be #AFC player pending medical. Fixed fee of £53m with £2.5m adds on if major trophies won, pass CL group stage (so pays itself). Wages not even half what Alexis wanted. Not the only deal #AFC working on
🎥https://t.co/ExkYKc5j3S pic.twitter.com/o663v8kszE
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) January 29, 2018
Balague has also hinted that the club could yet pursue another player in the transfer market, and it may not be a surprise that Wenger is after a deal for West Bromwich Albion’s Jonny Evans before the transfer deadline.
The Baggies captain is currently sidelined with a hamstring issue, and the Gunners are deemed to be contemplating over his £20m valuation as it could be available for just £3m via a relegation release clause which may be potentially triggered at the end of the campaign.
Nevertheless, Arsenal have plenty of positives to savour after the departure of Sanchez with Aubameyang due to reunite with ex-Dortmund teammate Henrikh Mkhitaryan, both of whom scored a combined 62 goals during the course of the 2015/16 campaign.
Dortmund are alleged to be on the search for a replacement before sanctioning the move, and Olivier Giroud may yet make the switch to Signal Iduna Park, though he is said to favour a stay in London, with Chelsea interested.
