Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal 'nowhere near' Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang transfer

Arsene Wenger has insisted that Arsenal are not close to signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang despite Borussia Dortmund confirming ongoing talks between the two clubs.

In the aftermath of Arsenal’s convincing 4-1 win over Crystal Palace, Wenger was given little time to assess his side’s first victory of 2018 before he was questioned about Arsenal’s transfer plans.

With a swap deal involving Manchester United’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Alexis Sanchez imminent, the Gunners are switching attention to the Armenian’s former Dortmund team-mate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Hans-Joachim Watzke, the Dortmund CEO, has confirmed an approach has been made but Wenger was reluctant to be drawn on a move that is likely to cost more than club-record signing Alexandre Lacazette.

Wenger offered no comment when asked by Standard Sport whether the club had submitted a bid and insisted he would not use Olivier Giroud as a makeweight.

“We are nowhere near anything with Dortmund,” Wenger added. “They are responsible for their own statements. I cannot stand up for what they say.

“If we sign somebody we’ll announce it. I half-announced today Sanchez against Mkhitaryan because that’s likely to happen. All the rest: we are not close at all to anything.”

Wenger had been asked about Aubameyang in Thursday’s press conference ahead of today’s game before speaking more generally about the importance of a player’s character, something which has always been a matter for debate where the Gabon striker is concerned.

His comments drew a furious reaction from Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc, who accused Wenger of being disrespectful and told him he “has enough to think about when it comes to the performances of his own players.”

“I don’t know what I said, nothing happens and I cannot comment on it,” Wenger said of Dortmund’s reaction. “I am quite surprised.

“It looks to me a tactical reaction. I said I didn’t know anything about it.”