London: Arsenal completed the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund for a club record 56 million pounds Wednesday, with clubs scrambling to beat the deadline of the winter transfer window.
Dortmund confirmed the news on their Twitter account, before Arsenal then shared a picture of Aubameyang posing in the club’s home kit, while screaming into the camera. He became the best-paid player in the club’s history on a three-and-a-half-year contract worth 1,80,000 pounds per week.
The 28-year-old striker is part of a transfer merry-go-round that will see Olivier Giroud leave the Gunners for Chelsea and Michy Batshuayi quit Stamford Bridge to replace Aubameyang at Dortmund.
Earlier, Manchester City completed the signing of Aymeric Laporte, Tuesday. Premier League leaders City are reported to have paid a club record 57million pounds for Athletic Bilbao defender Laporte, eclipsing the 55 million pounds they paid for Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne in 2015.
The 23-year-old is also the second most expensive defender in history behind Virgil van Dijk, who cost Liverpool 75 million pounds from Southampton earlier this month.
Pep Guardiola has now spent more than 200mn pounds on reinforcing his defence, bringing in Laporte alongside Benjamin Mendy (52mn), John Stones (47.5mn) and Kyle Walker (45mn).
Other developments
Lucas Moura (PSG) to Tottenham Hotspur (25m pounds).
Gerard Deulofeu (Barcelona) to Watford (on loan).
Chelsea bid to get Edin Dzeko from Roma failed.
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