The transfer saga surrounding Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could drag on until February 2.

Arsenal believe they have reached a £58m deal for the striker, who is set to sign a £180,000-a-week contract at the Emirates.

But the Gunners may be forced to wait to finalise the deal until Dortmund land a replacement.

Arsenal must get the deal over the line by 11pm on Wednesday and the move is now expected to go down to the wire.

The saga may even drag on until February 2, when the Bundesliga transfer window closes.

Aubameyang looks set for Arsenal (
Image:
PA)
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger (
Image:
PA)

Dortmund are only likely to sanction Aubameyang's exit if they have a deal in place to bring in a replacement.

They would then have around 48 hours to complete a deal before the window slams shut on Friday.

Olivier Giroud had been tipped to move in the opposite direction but the Frenchman is believed to want to stay in London.

Michy Batshuayi of Chelsea is challenged by Jamaal Lascelles of Newcastle United (
Image:
Julian Finney)
Will Giroud be on the move? (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

It now appears Michy Batshuayi is set to move to Germany on a loan deal until the end of the season.

That may then pave the way for Giroud to join Chelsea in a quite incredible transfer merry-go-round.

Any Premier League incomings must be done before 11pm on Wednesday but if Dortmund have a deal in place, they would let Aubameyang go.

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