Olivier Giroud will reportedly have to hand in a transfer request if he wants to leave Chelsea in January. (GETTY Images)
According to Italian news outlet Calciomercato (h/t Mirror), Olivier Giroud is set to leave Chelsea at the end of the season and secure a free transfer to Italy.
Giroud, 34, has been with Chelsea since the January transfer window of 2018, when he signed from London rivals Arsenal. While he may not have been a regular starter always, the Frenchman has been a key asset with his ability to chip in with vital goals every now and then.
Despite being 34, Giroud has managed to stay completely fit and has produced a respectable return of 11 goals from 27 games in all competitions this season, particularly impressing in the Champions League. (h/t Transfermarkt)
However, the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner with the France national team will see his current contract with Chelsea run out at the end of the ongoing campaign.
And, as per the report, there is little indication that Giroud will be signing a new contract with the Blues. Instead, his future could be in Italy, where he is being chased by reigning champions Juventus and current Serie A leaders Inter Milan.
Juventus manager Andrea Pirlo has openly admitted his interest in signing Giroud in the past, something that director Fabio Paratici intends to see through. Inter Milan, on the other hand, have been eyeing the 34-year-old French centre-forward since a couple of seasons, already. (h/t Mirror)
Giroud, since Thomas Tuchel took over the reins at Chelsea in January, has started just five games across all competitions. The likes of Timo Werner and Kai Havertz have been preferred over the veteran striker.
Add to it, Chelsea’s pursuit of a new centre-forward in the upcoming summer window would push Giroud further down the pecking order. So, a transfer away when his deal expires could be the best possible outcome for all parties involved.
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