Sven Mislintat allays Arsene Wenger’s fears over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Arsenal’s new Head of Recruitment Sven Mislintat has allayed Arsene Wenger’s fears over signing Borussia Dortmund bad boy Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to reports.
The Gunners have opened talks with BVB over a January move for the Gabon striker, though Wenger has a number of misgivings after Aubameyang was suspended for the second time this season.
The 28-year-old missed the goalless draw against Wolfsburg on Sunday due to ill-discipline, having failed to show up to a team meeting, while his desire to leave Dortmund is causing serious dressing room problems.
Latest reports from Germany suggest the forward has alienated many of his teammates after demanding to leave the club, even feigning injury and flying home without permission.
Understandably, Wenger was concerned about whether Aubameyang would be the right profile to replace Alexis Sanchez in his squad, but The Telegraph say Mislintat has stepped forward to provide a positive character reference.
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The former Dortmund scout, nicknamed ‘Diamond Eye’, was the man responsible for spotting Aubameyang at Saint-Etienne and signed him for Dortmund back in 2013.
He is driving the deal to sign Aubameyang now, and has told those at Arsenal questioning the deal that the forward is hard working and dedicated, and his current issues with Dortmund do not reflect his normal professionalism.
Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc echoed that sentiment: ‘We had a very controversial discussion. He hasn’t behaved like this for years, he’s always been very professional.
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‘What has happened is very tolerable, there will be some fines, too. It’s not necessary to talk about a transfer, but it’s clear that things can’t continue like this because some important things are in jeopardy, and that there is tension inside the squad.’
It is possible that any deal for Aubameyang, who is likely to cost around £55m, will include Olivier Giroud in part-exchange, while Theo Walcott is also on the verge of leaving the Emirates.
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