Arsenal have finally completed the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund in a club record deal.
Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund in a deal that breaks the club record for being the most expensive Gunners purchase ever. The agreement comes after protracted negotiations with Dortmund for few weeks, after both clubs finally agreed on a fee.
Arsenal entered the fray for Aubameyang after selling Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United earlier in January. The Gunners had two bids rejected by Dortmund who were firm on the valuation of the Gabonese striker.
He’s ours ✅ #YoPierre https://t.co/DiDb4Ewvt6
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) January 31, 2018
A fee of £56 million was agreed with Dortmund two days back, but Dortmund were holding on to the deal as they were on the lookout for a replacement before sanctioning the deal for Aubameyang. A replacement was found in Michy Batshuayi, who has reportedly signed on a six-month loan from Chelsea.
Aubameyang has scored 98 Bundesliga goals and 141 in all competitions for Dortmund since signing from St Ettiene in 2013. He was named the Bundesliga player of the year in 2016 while becoming the first non-German to be named top scorer in the league last season with 31 goals.
The Gabonese was suspended following missing a team meeting, which also coincided with Arsenal’s initial interest in the striker. He missed another match, although was called up for the 2-2 draw at home against Freiburg last weekend.
Aubameyang’s desire to leave the German giants has been well documented from last summer when there were many offers for the Gabonese striker, although nothing materialised in the end and he stayed put at Dortmund.
Arsenal were hoping to follow up the signing of Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Manchester United with a deal for Aubameyang, as Arsene Wenger was looking to reunite the former Dortmund attacking pair at Arsenal.
Dortmund Sporting Director Michael Zorc after the striker’s departure told the official website of the Club, “Apart from the unpleasant events of recent weeks, we like to remember that the story of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at BVB for more than four years was a single success story,” told Dortmund’s website.
He continued paying tribute to the departing striker, “He has done great things for Borussia Dortmund in this time, scored many important goals and is part of the team that brought the DFB-Pokal to Dortmund in 2017. We wish Pierre-Emerick all the best for his future at Arsenal.”
Arsene Wenger will be delighted with the signing of a player he considers a fox-in-the-box, as his stats show. Aubameyang has scored 97 of his 98 Bundesliga goals from inside the box, and Arsene Wenger has been on the lookout for such a striker.
Aubameyang becomes Arsenal’s record-breaking signing, as Arsenal paid more than the sum they paid for Alexandre Lacazette in the summer from Lyon.
