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Chelsea will fight to keep Olivier Giroud this month following the Frenchman’s talks with Juventus STALL over a six-month contract … with West Ham also considering moving the World Cup winner
- Olivier Giroud is Chelsea’s top scorer with nine goals in all competitions
- However, the 34-year-old is not a regular at manager Frank Lampard’s starting XI
- Juventus have expressed interest but talks have reportedly failed
- West Ham are also interested in the highly regarded French international striker
Chelsea appear ready to try to hang on to Olivier Giroud after the Frenchman’s talks about a move to Serie A champions Juventus stalled, according to reports.
The 34-year-old, whose contract at Stamford Bridge expires this summer, is the Blues’ top scorer this season with nine goals but is still not a regular at Frank Lampard’s starting XI.
Now free to talk to clubs abroad about signing a pre-contract, Giroud was in talks with Juve after Andrea Pirlo confirmed interest in him – but according to The sun, Giroud is not happy to only be offered a six-month contract.
Olivier Giroud reportedly unhappy to be offered only six-month contract by Juventus
Frank Lampard now looks likely to fight to keep Giroud, at least for the rest of the season
The report details that Giroud wants a more secure deal than the proposed contract, until the end of the season.
Ex-Arsenal man wants deal ideally for 18 months, until summer 2022 – Juve boss Andrea Pirlo has expressed interest, admitting to DAZN, via Football Italia, after 4 victory -1 from his team on Udinese on January 3: ‘It would be useful!
On the other hand, Lampard would be reluctant to let Giroud go, given the inconsistency of Timo Werner and Tammy Abraham as alternate options up front.
And although he doesn’t play regularly, Giroud is believed to be happy with his current role at Chelsea – Sports messaging reported that the player loosened his position when leaving the club after being further indented by Lampard.
Sources close to Giroud said his stance has softened after making sure he has an important role to play this season.
Giroud is not a regular in Chelsea’s starting XI despite being the team’s top scorer
Giroud has revealed that his initial decision to consider leaving Chelsea stemmed from discussions with French coach Didier Deschamps.
The striker, who reached 100 caps for the France squad last year and was part of the squad that won the 2018 World Cup, wants to gain enough minutes to keep his place in Deschamps’ squad for the European Championships.
London rival West Ham is also monitoring Giroud’s situation – the Hammers are looking for a permanent replacement for Sebastien Haller, after being sold to Ajax last week.
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