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What's the story?
Arsenal have long been searching for a replacement for Alexis Sanchez but have not been able to find an ideal player.
However, it looks like the Gunners have finally found their man. According to reports in the Metro, Arsene Wenger has identified Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as a replacement for Sanchez.
Aubameynag was quoted saying, "I have not renewed my contract. In the winter market, a lot can happen, also for me."
In case you didn't know..
The Borussia Dortmund player has been previously linked with a move to Emirates. The player was interested in a move to Atletico Madrid in the summer. The German club were also interested in selling the player for €60 million, but nothing had materialised.
It was believed that the 28-year-old signed a new contract last month that would keep him at the club until 2021. However, the player has rubbished those reports.
The heart of the matter
With the 2018 January window underway, and the summer window approaching fast, there seems no sign of Sanchez signing a new deal with the Gunners. He will be a free agent after the end of this season. Meanwhile, Manchester City have been linked with a move to take the Chilean away from the Emirates.
With Wenger also setting a price of around £25 million on the player, it seems like a matter of time before Pep Guardiola makes a bid for the 28-year-old. Meanwhile, Antonio Conte has also made Sanchez his no.1 priority and has urged his board to sign him up.
The Gunners are preparing for life without Sanchez and have now identified Aubameyang has an ideal replacement. The 28-year-old has scored 21 goals in 24 games for Dortmund this season but has been suspended for "disciplinary reasons".
It is believed that he also turned up late for training on a number of occasions, hinting that he wants to leave.
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Author's take
Aubameyang would definitely be an ideal replacement for Sanchez. The player is fast and would be an asset to the London club. However, the Gunners are yet to place an official bid for the player.
It would be interesting to see whether Dortmund, who were willing to let the player go in the summer, would allow him to leave now. Arsenal must act fast before other clubs come calling for the signature of the 28-year old.
