French striker Olivier Giroud’s agent has quashed all reports linking the Arsenal player with a move to Serie A club Napoli.
Olivier Giroud was a part of Didier Deschamps’ squad for the recently concluded European Championships featuring regularly for the French in their run to the final. The Arsenal striker had a fantastic Euros scoring 3 goals and providing 2 assists in his 6 appearances for the Blues. Giroud ended the competition as the highest-rated forward currently plying their trade in the Premier League with an average rating of 7.42 (stats via whoscored).
The Frenchman has been the subject of widespread speculation linking him with a move away from the Emirates with Arsenal reportedly looking to offer the striker to Napoli in a deal involving Gonzalo Higuain. The forward’s agent had earlier added to the speculation while speaking to Radio CRC stating that Napoli was a potential destination for Giroud in the summer transfer window.
“There is no fear from Olivier about possibly going to Napoli: it is a magnificent city. In Campania, my client could lead a wonderful life. Not to mention that the type of game played by [coach Maurizio] Sarri could enhance the quality of a centre forward like him.”
Giroud’s agent, Michael Manuello, seems to have completed a U-turn while speaking to tuttomercatoweb insisting that the striker has no plans to leave the Gunners in the summer transfer window.
“Everything I’ve read on Giroud is not true. I personally have only said that if Arsenal want to sell him, then we will see.”
The striker’s agent seems to have also gone back on his words which he had said in an interview to Radio CRC rejecting the notion of the 29 year-old’s links with a move to Serie A club, Napoli.
“I do not know where [the Napoli story] came from. We never talked to Naples and there are no other persons appointed over me that can do this, we need to clarify this.”
Manuello went on to add that it was obvious that there would be competition for all positions at a big club like Arsenal.
“You always need two strikers, Welbeck is out for nine months unfortunately. And quite normally, if you play in a great team, it is natural that we could face strong competition.”
Arsenal seem to be still in the market for another striker and have now been linked with Inter Milan captain Mauro Icardi after Jamie Vardy opted to stay with the Premier League champions and Gonzalo Higuain edging towards a move to Serie A champions Juventus.
Giroud has been great in an Arsenal shirt since joining the club from France but has still faced undeserved criticism from the Gooners. The striker has been prolific in front of goal with 57 goals in 135 Premier League appearances for the club over the span of four seasons. The 29 year-old has also shown the ability to set his teammates up, notching up 20 assists in his four years at the Emirates.
Giroud has been in impressive form for the French in the Euros and Arsene Wenger may just want to hold on to the striker in case he fails to capture a world-class striker in the summer transfer window. Giroud’s agent seems to have put forward the notion that the Frenchman is more than happy to stay at the club and ready to fight for his place in the starting XI and would only consider a move if the Londoners decide to sell the 29-year old. It is looking more and more likely that the French striker is set to play for the Gunners in the Premier League this coming season.
