Borussia Dortmund are fighting to keep Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The striker has been lined up for a big-money move to Arsenal, to replace Alexis Sanchez who is set to leave in the coming days for Manchester United.
Aubameyang is determined to leave the Westfalenstadion after his latest disciplinary issue, which saw him dropped by Dortmund last weekend.
The 28-year-old skipped a team meeting ahead of the Bundesliga clash with Wolfsburg, and was subsequently banished by coach Peter Stoger due to a lack of focus.
It is the third time in little over 15 months that he has been internally suspended, and after heated discussions with the club's hierarchy, Aubameyang was heavily criticised, publicly, by general manager Michael Zorc.
However, Aubameyang has established himself as one of Europe's premier marksmen over the last few seasons.
He has scored 21 times for BVB this term also, and when asked if Aubameyang would be a good fit at the Emirates, Arsene Wenger responded: “Yes, a character can be very positive or very negative.
“Overall you look at achievement over career and if he has done well the character has been used in a positive way.”
Aubameyang Goals - 2017-18
21
Goals
23
Games
Mirror Football understands Aubameyang has already set his sights on a move to London, and that personal terms aren't an issue. His father has also been in London this week.
However, despite the striker’s most recent act of ill-discipline, Kicker reports that club chiefs are refusing to sell for any less than €70million (£61m).
And that is causing an impasse, with Arsenal unwilling to go that high, explaining Wenger's Thursday morning declaration that: "This kind of thing is better when it is secret.
"You announce it when it is over the line. Nothing else is close."
Wenger's take led to Zorc blasting the Frenchman, calling him "disrespectful" and saying there has been no contact between the two sides.
“We find it disrespectful to talk about players of other clubs," said Zorc.
"There is no contact with Arsenal. We believe Arsene Wenger has enough on his plate with his own players.”
Dortmund are acutely aware of the difficulties they face in replacing the goals Aubameyang gives them, as well as the need to do so immediately if a deal is struck.
They started with an all-teenage attacking trio of Jadon Sancho, Alexander Isak and Christian Pulisic at the weekend, and centre-forward Isak is yet to really impress in the first team.
Club chiefs know that they cannot afford to go through the second half of the season with just the young Swede, if they hope to reach the Champions League.
Michy Batshuayi has been earmarked as a potential replacement, while Olivier Giroud has also been mentioned.
But the longer negotiations over Aubameyang drag on the better for the German club, who - despite the episode of the last week - aren't completely sold on his exit being the best outcome.
They have included him in their squad for Friday's meeting with Hertha BSC, with suggestions Aubameyang has even been undertaking extra training this week - a sign that he is looking to make up for his latest indiscretion.
Additionally, coach Peter Stoger - on a short-term deal - knows that a firing Aubameyang will only help his bid to earn a long-term deal at the club.