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LONDON. — Pierre-Merick Aubameyang has finally been confirmed as an Arsenal player with Mesut Ozil agreeing a new contract with The Gunners worth in-excess of £300 000-per week, ending months of speculation regarding the Germany international’s future.
Olivier Giroud was, on the other hand, set to join London rivals Chelsea after undergoing a medical ahead of an £18million move yesterday.
The Arsenal striker was given permission to link up with the Blues yesterday morning after the Gunners finally agreed a fee to sell him to their London rivals.
Sportsmail exclusively revealed in December that the Gunners have made one last push to get Ozil to sign.
Their attempts have proved successful, with the German agreeing a deal to become one of the best paid players in the English Premier League. Ozil will sign a three-and-half year deal worth over £300 000-per-week.
The German international midfielder’s deal with the Gunners had been due to expire in the summer, and there seemed to have been little progress with talks in recent months.
It had been thought Ozil would follow Alexis Sanchez out the Emirates Stadium exit door – however he now seems set to stay.
Ozil will stay at Arsenal in order to link up with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has joined on a club record fee from Borussia Dortmund.
Aubameyang finalised a £56m switch from the Bundesliga club yesterday, and the ambition shown by Arsenal to bring in a world class striker has convinced Ozil to stay.
The 29-year-old playmaker had been linked with several clubs, including Manchester United, who signed Sanchez in a swap deal for Henrikh Mkhitaryan in January.
It is set to be a pivotal year for Ozil in many respects, with his club future decided, as well as going to the 2018 World Cup with Germany.
It will be a big summer for Ozil personally, with his wedding to fiancee Amine Gulse reportedly to take place after the World Cup in Russia.
Dortmund and Arsenal yesterday both confirmed Aubameyang has moved for a club-record fee, which is around £60m.
The length of Aubameyang’s Arsenal deal is now through with the club saying the Gabon international has signed “a long-term contract”.
The club yesterday announced on their official website the transfer is subject to the completion of regulatory processes and the 28-year-old’s squad number will be confirmed soon.
The 28-year-old was identified by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger as his first-choice replacement for Alexis Sanchez who has joined Manchester United.
Aubameyang leaves Germany under a cloud following a string of disciplinary issues in the Bundesliga.
Dortmund announced his exit on deadline day yesterday, with Michy Batshuayi set to replace him.
Aubameyang becomes the Gunners’ second signing of the January transfer window, after Henrikh Mkhitaryan joined from Manchester United.
Aubameyang has been in London since Tuesday and the switch has now gone through.
Dortmund broke the news first.
In a statement on their website, the club wrote: “The eight-time German champions Borussia Dortmund and the London Premier League club Arsenal have agreed on an immediate transfer of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
“Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been with BVB since 2013 under contract, in 213 missions he scored 141 goals.”
Michael Zorc, Dortmund’s sporting director, said: “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.
“He has done great things for Borussia Dortmund at this time, scored many important goals and is part of the team that brought the DFB Cup to Dortmund in 2017. We wish Pierre-Emerick all the best for his future at Arsenal. “
Arsenal followed suit shortly after, writing on their own website: “The 28-year-old has joined us from Borussia Dortmund on a long-term contract for a club-record fee.
“Our second signing of the January transfer window, Auba is one of the world’s most highly-rated strikers. He scored 98 goals in 144 Bundesliga games for Dortmund and had a hand in 172 goals in 213 matches in all competitions for his former club.
“That works out at an average of 96 minutes per goal or assist.
“Auba is the Gabon captain and all-time top goalscorer, and became the first Gabonese winner of the African Footballer of the Year award in 2015.
“This deal is subject to the completion of regulatory processes and Auba’s squad number will be confirmed shortly.”
But his prowess in front of goal is undeniable after scoring 141 goals in 213 appearances in four-and-a-half seasons.
On Tuesday, The Gunners accidentally leaked the signing in a night of errors on and off the pitch after posting a video of Arsene Wenger talking about Aubameyang.
The French boss, speaking after the 3-1 Swansea defeat, said: “Yes, it’s good news. “We need people who can give us more offensive power. We aren’t efficient enough going forward.
“I’m convinced he will bring us that.
“He has a big challenge in front of him, he wants to win the Premier League. “I believe he’s welcome. I believe that’s absolutely good news for us.”
Wenger was then asked about his strengths.
“Overall his pace, his finishing, the quality of his runs, the quality of his reception to crosses.
“His huge physical capacity to repeat runs, which will be important in the Premier League because the physical level is high.” — Mailonline
Online Reporter