Arsenal set high price tag on Olivier Giroud as Chelsea circle
Arsenal are set to announce the signing of Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to multiple reports this Monday morning. The general fee reported is contrasting, however it looks set to be around £50 – £60 million for the Gabon international.
It was initially suggested that Olivier Giroud would be part of the deal going the other way to Germany. However, fresh reports coming out of Germany suggest that the Frenchman wants to stay in London and prefers a move to Chelsea.
Arsenal would be expected to sanction his move and would listen to offers, even from the blues. However, according to reports from the English press, they will only listen to offers around £35 million for the 31-year old.
Chelsea were enquiring about a loan deal only and were said to be uninterested in a permanent deal, the price set could well put them off.
Having said that, Head Coach Antonio Conte is very keen on bringing in a target man type forward to add to his attacking options. The well publicised pursuit of Edin Dzeko from Roma seems to be no closer to being sealed and various contrasting reports saying this deal could be on the rocks.
Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger maintained that he would let Giroud leave this window, but only once a replacement is sourced, which of course now looks very likely.