Arsenal have reportedly been “scared off” signing Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, while long-term target Adrien Rabiot is now being eyed by Serie A giants Inter Milan. 

According to John Cross in the Mirror, Manchester United are preparing a £60 million move for Aubameyang in the summer and will offer him a £200,000-a-week contract, but Arsenal are not able to meet Dortmund’s high demands. 

As a result it seems they will have to look elsewhere for a new striker to complement Oliver Giroud in their attack.

Aubameyang, 26, has proved himself as a top-quality forward this season as he has been prolific in every competition he has played, per Squawka Football:

He is exactly the kind of player Arsenal need to give them the variety and depth to challenge for titles both domestically and in Europe.

However, Aubameyang has now become one of the hottest properties in European football, and given that he is contracted to Dortmund until 2020, they are not prepared to let him go on the cheap.

Given the fee United are reportedly prepared to pay for the Gabon international, Arsenal would have to smash their transfer record to sign him, not something they are seemingly prepared to do.

Bleacher Report’s Dean Jones recently admonished Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger for failing to sign Alvaro Morata in January, and Aubameyang looks to be another striker that got away:

Elsewhere, the Gunners have been dealt a further blow in their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain’s Rabiot, as Inter president Erick Thohir has arranged a visit to France in an attempt to negotiate a deal for the 20-year-old, per Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb (via the Daily Star‘s Jamie Anderson).

Per ITA Sport Press (via Anderson), Arsenal were strongly linked with the young defensive midfielder in January, with Rabiot’s mother reportedly travelling to London to discuss a a deal with the club.

However, now that Inter are involved, the Gunners may have missed their chance.

Rabiot asked to leave PSG on loan last month, to the disappointment of club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, per Anderson: “I was very disappointed—I said it to his face. He’s 20 years old, plays regularly in a big team. He’s come through the youth academy—the club has given him a lot.”

It seems the Frenchman could be there for the taking if his relationship with PSG is deteriorating, and he could add quality and depth to the Arsenal midfield, as well as being another talent for Wenger to mould.

But the north London club now look to have a fight on their hands if they are to return for Rabiot in the summer. 

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