Chelsea are on the verge of clinching the £18million signing of Olivier Giroud that will trigger Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s move to Arsenal and Michy Batshuayi’s loan switch to Borussia Dortmund.

Following a day of talks, Chelsea finally agreed a fee with Arsenal for Giroud even though the Frenchman came on as a substitute for the Gunners at Swansea City in Tuesday night’s Premier League game.

Giroud will complete a medical before signing for Chelsea, having already verbally agreed personal terms with the Premier League champions.

Aubameyang flew into Luton Airport from Dortmund on Tuesday afternoon and was driven straight to Arsenal’s London Colney training ground to finalise his £55m transfer.

Dortmund were refusing to let Aubameyang’s move be formally completed until they were sure of signing a replacement, but Chelsea’s breakthrough on Giroud solves that problem.