Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Transfer 'Far from Being Close,' Says Arsene Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on Friday said a move for Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is "far from being close," as the club tries to bring in the Gabon international before the January transfer window closes on Wednesday.

The Gunners have made a £44 million bid for Aubameyang, but Dortmund want £60 million and could walk away from negotiations, per Jake Polden at the Mirror.

Wenger told the press on Friday that signing the striker is still possible but that the club is no closer to bringing in the 28-year-old, saying: "I cannot tell you more. We've nothing to announce today, and at the moment we stay where we are. We have added [Henrikh] Mkhitaryan, lost Alexis [Sanchez] and our squad is stable. If anything else happens, I'd say. I don't know. It's still possible, but we're far from being close."

If Arsenal do want to sign Aubameyang in January, they will have to meet Dortmund's asking price, per Matt Law at the Daily Telegraph:

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud could be included in a deal for Aubameyang, but Wenger wants to keep the France international at the club.

"I want Olivier to stay," Wenger said. "I just told you if nobody comes in nobody goes out. Maybe one or two young players out on loan somewhere. Experienced side of the squad will remain the same unless someones comes in."

Giroud will be back in the squad for Tuesday's Premier League game against Swansea City after recovering from the hamstring injury he picked up shortly before Christmas, per the Evening Standard's James Olley:

Chelsea are also interested in taking the striker on loan if they fail to land primary target Edin Dzeko, according to reporter Gianluca Di Marzio (h/t Get French Football News).

Despite Wenger's words, the Gunners are willing to allow the France international to leave and would let him join another Premier League team, per the Mirror's John Cross:

It seems unlikely Arsenal would want to strengthen a rival by allowing Giroud to move to Chelsea, particularly having already let Sanchez join Manchester United. However, the striker has spent most of the season on the bench and may be frustrated by his lack of game time, especially in a FIFA World Cup year.

The Frenchman's chance of an exit may well depend on whether the Gunners land Aubameyang. However, they will need to step up their efforts with the transfer window set to close.