Borussia Dortmund warn Arsenal there will be no Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang-Olivier Giroud swap deal

Borussia Dortmund have reportedly told Arsenal they want to sign Olivier Giroud, but have insisted a deal for the Frenchman will have no bearing on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s potential transfer to the Emirates.

Arsenal are chasing the signature of Aubameyang this January with the Gunners desperate to bring in a big name for the Manchester United-bound Alexis Sanchez.

Aubameyang may have disciplinary issues, but the striker is a prolific goalscorer and would be an exciting addition to Arsene Wenger’s squad.

Arsenal were hoping to tempt Dortmund into selling Aubameyang by offering Giroud in part-exchange for the Gabon international.

But, RMC Sport claim that although Dortmund do want to sign Giroud, they will not entertain a swap deal and have warned Arsenal the two deals have no bearing on the other.

Giroud has been linked with a host of clubs this month with West Ham and Everton mooted as suitors for his signature.

Wenger is prepared to allow Giroud to leave, but the club will be disappointed to see a key component of their offer for Aubameyang knocked back.

Dortmund do not see Giroud as a long-term solution at the club and only want the Frenchman to fill the void of Aubameyang’s exit for the next six months.

The German side plan to recruit a young, exciting attacker in the summer, but Giroud will be expected to give his all for his new club with the World Cup fast approaching.

Giroud has been nursing a hamstring issue since the end of December and is slowly nearing full fitness again.

Aubameyang too is keen to move on from Dortmund after a drastic fall-out with the club’s hierarchy amid concerns about his conduct and attitude.

Dortmund have twice suspended Aubameyang for disciplinary reasons this season and Sporting director Michael Zorc admitted this week the goalscorer has crossed a line.

‘We simply cannot tolerate this kind of behaviour,’ he said.

‘I don’t know what’s going on in his head right now. He has always been a professional.

‘I don’t want to take part in media speculation, but we can’t continue like this anymore.’