Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud is reportedly being lined up for an audacious January move by the Blues’ London rivals West Ham United.
According to a report by Daily Mirror, Olivier Giroud is the subject of interest from West Ham United, who are set to launch the offensive for him in the winter transfer window. The Chelsea striker’s deal at Stamford Bridge is in its final year, which could open up the prospect of a January exit.
Giroud only joined Chelsea earlier this year, after calling time on his near-six-year spell at Arsenal. The Frenchman was initially a backup to Alvaro Morata before he usurped the underperforming Spaniard towards the end of the 2017-18 season.
Giroud has managed to retain his spot as the first-choice Chelsea striker for the most part since the arrival of Maurizio Sarri as well. But, his future with the West London giants is somewhat uncertain, with his current contract in its final year and no concrete reports over an extension surfacing.
This situation is opening up the possibility of a low-money move away from Chelsea in the January transfer window, with one of his long-time admirers weighing up a transfer. West Ham United are eager to secure the services of the French international, and for good reason.
The Hammers do have Marko Arnautovic leading the line with aplomb. But, Manuel Pellegrini has very little in terms of effective options, with summer signing Lucas Perez not impressing much. Additionally, Javier Hernandez and Andy Carroll’s absence due to injury has amped up the pressure on Arnautovic.
Giroud is thus, a viable target for West Ham, who can have a reliable option to take some responsibility off the Austrian superstar. But, the fact that the 32-year-old will likely have to share game time with Arnautovic might make the cross London move a less appealing one, as he is racking up the minutes at Chelsea at the present moment.
Chelsea too, are likely to be unwilling to part ways with Giroud, whose departure will leave Sarri with Morata as the only recognised striker at his disposal. As far as a renewal is concerned, the Blues are known to offer one-year extensions to player aged over 30, and that might just be the case with Giroud as well, albeit sometime later in the season.
The Blues will be unwise to lose a player like Giroud on the cheap despite his goal drought, with the player proving his worth in build-up play – he is averaging an assist every 90 minutes in the league. For now, it looks likely that the French striker will remain at Chelsea, rebuffing the interest from London rivals West Ham.
Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud is reportedly being lined up for an audacious January move by the Blues’ London rivals West Ham United.
According to a report by Daily Mirror, Olivier Giroud is the subject of interest from West Ham United, who are set to launch the offensive for him in the winter transfer window. The Chelsea striker’s deal at Stamford Bridge is in its final year, which could open up the prospect of a January exit.
Giroud only joined Chelsea earlier this year, after calling time on his near-six-year spell at Arsenal. The Frenchman was initially a backup to Alvaro Morata before he usurped the underperforming Spaniard towards the end of the 2017-18 season.
Giroud has managed to retain his spot as the first-choice Chelsea striker for the most part since the arrival of Maurizio Sarri as well. But, his future with the West London giants is somewhat uncertain, with his current contract in its final year and no concrete reports over an extension surfacing.
This situation is opening up the possibility of a low-money move away from Chelsea in the January transfer window, with one of his long-time admirers weighing up a transfer. West Ham United are eager to secure the services of the French international, and for good reason.
The Hammers do have Marko Arnautovic leading the line with aplomb. But, Manuel Pellegrini has very little in terms of effective options, with summer signing Lucas Perez not impressing much. Additionally, Javier Hernandez and Andy Carroll’s absence due to injury has amped up the pressure on Arnautovic.
Giroud is thus, a viable target for West Ham, who can have a reliable option to take some responsibility off the Austrian superstar. But, the fact that the 32-year-old will likely have to share game time with Arnautovic might make the cross London move a less appealing one, as he is racking up the minutes at Chelsea at the present moment.
Chelsea too, are likely to be unwilling to part ways with Giroud, whose departure will leave Sarri with Morata as the only recognised striker at his disposal. As far as a renewal is concerned, the Blues are known to offer one-year extensions to player aged over 30, and that might just be the case with Giroud as well, albeit sometime later in the season.
The Blues will be unwise to lose a player like Giroud on the cheap despite his goal drought, with the player proving his worth in build-up play – he is averaging an assist every 90 minutes in the league. For now, it looks likely that the French striker will remain at Chelsea, rebuffing the interest from London rivals West Ham.