Chelsea have reportedly moved closer to securing the signing of Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud before the end of the January transfer window.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has previously stated that he would like to keep Giroud at the Emirates Stadium, but a desire to complete a deal for Borussia Dortmund attacker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has led to Giroud heading towards the exit door.
The Gunners would prefer not to sell the Frenchman to a direct rival but according to The Mirror, the two clubs have come to terms over an £18m transfer.
With Giroud preferring to remain in London rather than move to Dortmund, Chelsea stepped in for the French international with Dortmund keen to seal the loan switch of Blues striker Michy Batshuayi.
The report has suggested that all three deals must be completed for any exits to be given the green light, although Aubameyang is already in North London ahead of his potential transfer to Arsenal.
Darren Plant
