Arsenal hopeful of sealing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's £50.9m signing 'in time for Swansea debut'

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Arsenal are hoping to complete Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's signing in the coming days — and the striker could make his debut against Swansea City next Tuesday.

The Gunners have increased their offer for Borussia Dortmund star Aubameyang to £50.9million, with Arsene Wenger keen on bolstering his attacking ranks following the departure of Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United. 

Talks are ongoing between club representatives with Arsenal's Olivier Giroud also part of negotiations.

Arsenal have improved a bid to £50.9m for Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

The Gunners are hoping to complete Aubameyang's signing in the coming days

And, according to Bild, Wenger is already planning on handing the Gabon forward his first outing against the Swans next week. 

However, Dortmund boss Peter Stoger said on Thursday that Aubameyang will be in the side's squad to face Freiburg on Saturday in the Bundesliga.

The Gunners have already seen a £43m offer turned down by the Bundesliga side but have now returned with a bid much closer to Dortmund's valuation of £53m.

Should Arsenal meet Dortmund's demands it would smash their existing transfer record set last summer with the signing of Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon.

Arsenal remain confident of sealing a deal — but Dortmund's stance is that they want a replacement before parting ways with the controversial striker.

Arsenal are planning on handing the Gabon forward his first outing against Swansea next week

Conveniently, their first-choice target to fill the void that would be left by Aubameyang is Giroud.

They have informed the Gunners they will not sell Aubameyang unless they can find a replacement first.

Giroud has fallen down the pecking order under Wenger and is keen to seal a move this month in order to improve his chances of making the World Cup in Russia.

Dortmund want to land a replacement for Aubameyang and have lined up Olivier Giroud