Borussia Dortmund confirm Arsenal bid for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke has confirmed Arsenal have made an initial request to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The Gabon striker was left out of the Dortmund side for Friday night’s 1-1 draw with Hertha Berlin, with the Bundesliga side’s hierarchy admitting he had been swayed by interest from Arsenal.

Dortmund are believed to be holding out for a price tag of £53million while Arsenal consider whether to make Olivier Giroud - a target for the Germans last summer - available as a makeweight for the deal.

Talks between the two clubs have been taking place for much of this week and Dortmund’s chief executive confirmed as much though refused to be drawn on the nature of any offer from the Emirates.

Watzke told Ruhr Nachricten: "I can confirm Arsenal have made a request, the figure has been named in England and we won't comment."

Should a formal bid be made for Aubameyang Dortmund, a publicly listed company, would be obliged to declare it to the stock exchange.