Sources: 3 Ligue1 sides interested in signing Chelsea star
Chelsea rumours: Three Ligue1 sides have enquired about signing Olivier Giroud in January according to our sources at Chelsea. The striker has been a benchwarmer this season and is open to leaving the club.
However, Chelsea sources have also made it clear that the Blues will only let go of Giroud or any other player in January if they have the transfer ban overturned. Unless a replacement is signed or is set to join them, they are not going to sell anyone.
Giroud was signed by Chelsea in January 2018 after Antonio Conte asked the club to get him a striker. He joined on an 18-month deal and signed an extension this summer after the club were handed a transfer ban.
He has been playing the role of impact sub for most of his time at the club but is no longer willing to remain on the bench. Giroud has also spoken about leaving but Lampard has insisted that he is a part of his plans.
As per our sources, the Ligue1 sides who are interested in signing Giroud are AS Monaco, Montpellier and Nice. The three sides are keen on signing him in January itself but all that depends on if Chelsea can get the ban overturned and also strike a deal for a replacement.
Monaco signed Cesc Fabregas from Chelsea last January after Sarri made it clear that he was not a part of his plans. The Blues have been linked with Nice’s right-back, Youcef Atal and could use Giroud to as a makeweight. The Frenchman helped Montpellier win the Ligue1 in 2011/12 and now the club need him to push for a Europa League spot.