Might Arsenal have to sell to Chelsea to get Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang?

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Only by selling Olivier Giroud to a rival may Arsenal be able to secure the Borussia Dortmund striker.

Arsenal face the demeaning prospect of selling to another Premier League rival this month if they are to get their hands on Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The London Evening Standard reports that a third bid of £55m plus add ons has gone in for Aubameyang as Arsenal aim to complete a blockbuster signing before Wednesday’s transfer deadline.

A complication to the possible deal is Dortmund’s need to sign a replacement. Standard Sport claims that the Germans would take Olivier Giroud from the Gunners but that his wife does not want to leave London.

According to The Mirror, Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi is a more likely option to move to the Bundesliga on loan until the end of the season, but that arrangement is also relying on the Blues getting a forward in.

This is where Arsenal could be embarrassed again, having already sold their best player – Alexis Sanchez – to Manchester United this month, as Chelsea are hoping to acquire Giroud and can potentially use Batshuayi as leverage to begin a domino effect of striker moves involving all three clubs.

Standard Sport understands that Arsenal would be reluctant to strengthen the attacking options of a rival for the second time this January, but it could be the only way for them to get Aubamayeng.

Although Giroud has been a very useful player for the Gunners, with 105 goals in six years, and would be an asset to Chelsea, he has played less of a prominent role this season and appears dispensable.

Arsenal might cop a bit of stick should the Frenchman start banging them in at Stamford Bridge, but they should be confident that granting him that opportunity allows themselves to sign a much better player.

If the next few days see Giroud to Chelsea, Batshuayi to Dortmund and Aubameyang to Arsenal; there is only one winner.