Guns told it’s £60m for Aub
ARSENAL have been told they will have to break their transfer record to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Borussia Dortmund rejected a second bid of just over £50m for Aubameyang and are holding out for closer to £60m.
The Gabon striker wants to join the Gunners but is growing frustrated at the slow progress Arsene Wenger’s men are making to secure him.
Arsenal know it is going to take a bid above the club record £52m they paid Lyon for Alexandre Lacazette to get the deal done.
But they are willing to let it go down right down to the wire in the hope of bringing down the asking price.
Aubameyang, 28, is still training with his club and talks will continue.
Dortmund are keen to land Olivier Giroud as part of the deal but Arsenal
have yet to indicate a willingness to make him part of the negotiations.
Wenger could instead turn his attentions to Paris-St Germain star Lucas Moura, who he believes he could land for half the price.
The Arsenal boss was evasive over Giroud’s future when asked about the Frenchman this week.
And he insisted after the League Cup semi-final win over Chelsea that a deal for Aubameyang is still “not close”.
Wenger is also chasing West Brom defender Evans.
But Arsenal feel £20m is too much for the 30-year-old considering the fact he only has 18 months remaining on his contract.
Alan Pardew is keen to do business as Evans can leave for £3m if the club are relegated, owing to a clause in his contract.
The Baggies boss needs funds now to bring in reinforcements in other areas.
Arsenal are playing hardball, offering just £10m plus full-back Mathieu Debuchy.
They are in no rush to get the deal over the line now that Manchester City are closing in on a £57m deal for Aymeric Laporte instead.
City are in advanced talks with Athletic Bilbao for the 23-year-old, who is keen despite turning down the move in 2016.