Arsenal 'close to agreeing £60m Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang deal'

Arsenal are reportedly close to agreeing a club-record £60m deal to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund.

The Gunners have already seen two bids turned down for the wantaway striker, with Dortmund insisting that they will not allow him to leave for anything below their asking price.

However, Arsenal are understood to have returned with a third bid which they are confident will be enough to land Aubameyang, who has missed a number of games due to off-field transgressions so far this season.

The 28-year-old started for the first time since December 16 during Saturday's draw with Freiburg, although his performance in that match was criticised by manager Peter Stoger.

Dortmund must still find a replacement for the Gabon international before they will sanction any deal - with Arsenal's Olivier Giroud touted as a possible option - but the Gunners are now confident that they have done all they can do to bring Aubameyang to the Emirates Stadium.

Should the deal go through then Aubameyang, who has scored 21 goals in 24 appearances for Dortmund this season, would surpass Alexandre Lacazette as Arsenal's most expensive signing.