Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with massive headphones on
Aubameyang has scored 13 Bundesliga goals this season in 15 appearances (Picture: Getty)

Arsene Wenger says Arsenal are not close to signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang despite a delegation of club officials flying to Germany to negotiate a deal.

The Gunners booked their place in their eighth League Cup final thanks to a 2-1 victory over Chelsea at the Emirates on Wednesday evening, with an own goal from Antonio Rudiger and a prodded finish from Granit Xhaka securing the win.

But after the match Arsenal’s pursuit of Aubameyang was the hottest topic of conversation, though Wenger says they deal has not progressed despite talks.

Aubameyang is back in training despite Dortmund and Arsenal negotiating a fee (Picture: Getty)

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The French boss told reporters: ‘The best [thing] is I don’t talk about it. It wouldn’t help.

‘If something happens it happens, if it doesn’t we are strong enough to focus on the players we have.

‘I’m perfectly happy with the players we have. At the moment, we are open to strengthening the team but we are not close to signing anybody.’

Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis, new head of recruitment Sven Mislintat and legal expert Huss Fahmy were all spotted in Dortmund on Sunday.

Wenger says Arsenal are not close to agreeing a deal for Aubameyang yet (Picture: Getty)

The Gunners are believed to have made an opening offer of £44m for Aubameyang, which they subsequently upped to £51m after a second round of talks.

However, Dortmund are holding out for closer to £61m – which would be a club-record fee.

Both clubs are searching for a compromise and Olivier Giroud looks likely to move to Dortmund on a six-month loan, while Aubameyang would be reunited with Henrikh Mkhitaryan if he joins Arsenal.

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