Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang doesn’t show up in court for Dortmund bus bombing case ‘as Arsenal transfer completed’
Mystery surrounds £55.4m striker's non-appearance through 'illness' after judge notes 'he played 90 minutes for Dortmund on Saturday'
PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG failed to turn up in court today amid reports that the Borussia Dortmund hitman is expected to join Arsenal in the next few hours.
Aubameyang's drawn out transfer saga looks to have been finalised after the Bundesliga club were reported to have accepted the Gunners' increased bid of £55.4million.
The Gabon international was expected to give evidence over last's season's bombing of the Borussia Dortmund team bus.
His non-appearance was due to "illness".
But mystery surrounded the Arsenal target's non-appearance after Judge Peter Windgatter noted that the striker "had played 90 minutes for Dortmund on Saturday".
But according to local news sources from the court both Judge Windgatter and Public prosecutor Carsten Dombert seemed unconvinced.
Said Dombert: "I think that should not be the so can not offer." Said Judge Windgatter: "I agree."
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Just as the news of the striker's absence broke, reported that Dortmund have accepted Arsenal's bid of £55.4million.
The suspect, named only as Sergei W, has been in court over the attack and both Bartra, who did turn up on Monday, and Aubameyang were called to give evidence.
Aubameyang, 28, is keen to move to the Premier League after four-and-a half-years in Germany.
Gunners chief executive Ivan Gazidis has been in Dortmund to try and thrash out a deal for the forward following the departure of Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United.
Arsenal have increased their offer from £44m and the Dortmund hitman is now expected to agree a contract worth £180,000-a-week until 2021.
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The Bundesliga club still want to find a replacement for Aubameyang, who has scored 141 goals in four-and-a-half seasons for Dortmund, before signing him off.
Arsenal's French forward Olivier Giroud, keen for first-team play in the build-up to the World Cup, is among their options
The Telegraph says separate talks are now ongoing with Arsenal today about a deal.
Arsenal are apparently open to both a loan or a permanent transfer and there is also interest in Giroud from Chelsea.