Arsenal’s hopes of landing Borussia Dortmund hitman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have been dealt a blow with the news that the German side have offered the forward a new deal.
According to L’Equipe [via Le 10 Sport], BVB have offered the Gabon hitman a new two-year extension to his contract, with confirmation expected over the coming days.
Reports in Germany [via Metro], indicated earlier this week that, as a major fan of Aubameyang’s attacking presence, Arsene Wenger was planning to offer a £31.4 million offer to sign the 26-year-old forward.
Interest is high in the former AS Saint-Etienne striker, with Liverpool also believed to be keen on bringing the Panther to Anfield [Mirror].
However, Brendan Rodgers’s decision to meet Christian Benteke’s £32.5 million fee-release clause indicates that the Northern Irish boss has made the Belgian hitman his top priority [BBC], rather than Bundesliga-based Aubameyang.
Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked with the forward [ESPN], particularly with intense speculation surrounding the futures of Edinson Cavani [talkSPORT], Zlatan Ibrahimovic [Daily Mail] and Ezequiel Lavezzi [Goal].
Aubameyang managed 16 goals and six assists in 33 outings in the German top flight last term, and impressed in the Bundesliga, despite BVB’s underwhelming campaign.
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With Marco Reus heavily linked with an exit from the club [talkSPORT], BVB would surely be keen to secure the future of Aubameyang, avoiding the possibility of losing two of their star attacking talents.
Should Aubameyang sign a new deal with Dortmund, Arsenal may intensify their efforts to bring Karim Benzema to the club, although Wenger has confirmed that the club are yet to make an offer for the France striker [Sky Sports].