'Here we go' - Arsenal set to lose another striker target as Bundesliga goal-machine deal all but done

Arsenal have lost out on yet another reported striker target after it was revealed that VfB Stuttgart star Serhou Guirassy would be remaining in the Bundesliga, signing with Borussia Dortmund.

Taking to X, Italian sports journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed: “Serhou Guirassy to Borussia Dortmund, here we go! BVB have received the green light from player side after working on this deal for months.

“Guirassy has accepted and formal steps will follow. BVB will pay the release clause around €17.5m (£15m) to Stuttgart. “

Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United had all been credited with an interest in the Guinean international, although it was reported the Blues had dropped out of the running earlier this week. AC Milan also had Guirassy - who scored 30 goals in 30 matches last campaign - on their shortlist alongside Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku if their first choice option of Joshua Zirkzee fell through.

Guirassy, 28, had indicated he wished to leave Stuttgart this summer and while Metro note he was available for a fairly modest release clause of €20m (£16.9m), it would appear Dortmund have brought down this figure to £15m.

While the Bundesliga side were said to be concerned over Arsenal’s growing interest in the Guinean star, Romano’s latest post details that Guirassy has preferred to snub the Premier League interest in favour of remaining in Germany. Reports on Stuttgarter Nachrichten also indicate that Dortmund will be nearly tripling Guirassy’s salary, which had been worth £65,000.

The German outlet has reported that Dortmund also offered a signing-on fee in excess of €10m (£8.4m) which rival clubs - most likely Arsenal - were not willing to match.

Guirassy, 28, is now the third striker option Arsenal appear to have failed to land after appearing to lose out on both Benjamin Sesko and Zirkzee. Slovenian star Sesko opted to sign a contract extension with RB Leipzig, snubbing any interest from the Gunners, while it has been widely reported that AC Milan are currently leading the race for the £34m-rated Zirkzee.

The Gunners do, however, remain in the race for both Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen with the former set to cost £85m and the latter’s release clause reported to be around £110m.