Football News

Intermediary namechecks two Prem clubs who could sign Chelsea striker

One of the intermediaries representing Olivier Giroud has touted two possible Premier League destinations if he leaves Chelsea this summer.

Giroud is out of contract at the end of the season and after pushing for an exit for a while, it seems unlikely he will renew. After 11 goals this season despite only making 12 starts, he will have many suitors. The Frenchman still has something to contribute at the age of 34.

A foreign exit has seemed the most likely option for Giroud. There is plenty of interest in him from Italy, for example.

But Wednesday’s European papers suggested that he had offers from three English clubs. Now, an intermediary has namechecked two of those possible options.

According to Vincenzo Morabito, West Ham and Crystal Palace could offer Giroud the chance to stay in London.

He told Calciomercato.it: “Now Olivier has been called up by France, confirming the esteem that [Didier] Deschamps has for him, and he is a player that can join a new club in July.

“It is also true that Chelsea would gladly keep him and there are clubs in England that are interested, like Crystal Palace and West Ham.

“In short, he is a player that has a lot of market and for some reason he has never managed to go to Italy. Even with Juventus we had a negotiation in the last transfer window, where then [Alvaro] Morata arrived.

“It could be that in the end Olivier comes to Italy, but his future is tied to many events. Now he will be focused on the European championship where he wants to do well like he did at the World Cup.”

Giroud has scored 39 goals from 119 games since switching Arsenal for Chelsea. His next destination might be a third London club, or he could go to Italy.

The Serie A clubs to have been linked recently are Inter, Roma and Lazio. Juventus have also been tipped to revive their interest.

Chelsea make contact for Lewandowski

With Giroud on his way out and Tammy Abraham also likely to follow, Chelsea will need a new striker this summer.

They invested in Timo Werner last summer but he is yet to justify his price tag. There is time for him to get back on track but a more reliable option could come in.

They wouldn’t come much better than Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski, who appears to be a genuine target for Chelsea.

According to Sky Germany, Chelsea have been in contact over a blockbuster move for the Poland international.

Bayern are not thinking of selling their star man. Chairman of the executive board, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, said to Sport1 last week: “Sure he stays. Who sells a player that scores 60 goals a year?”

But Chelsea could test their resolve nonetheless. They are one of the few clubs who could afford a move for Lewandowski and he plays in the exact position they are looking to strengthen.

But the Poland international would prefer to stay with Bayern at this moment in time. Nothing has been ruled out, though, so there could be more developments.

Lewandowski still has two years of contract left to run at Bayern.

READ MORELampard breaks down Tuchel achievements to date with Chelsea assessment

The post Intermediary namechecks two Prem clubs who could sign Chelsea striker appeared first on TEAMtalk.