Milan and Olivier Giroud have a verbal agreement for the France international to leave Chelsea and join them on a two-year deal. According to Corriere dello Sport (via MilanNews), it is now up to the striker to convince the Premier League outfit to let him leave on a free transfer.
Despite extending his contract at Chelsea for another season earlier this year, Giroud is understood to be keen on leaving England for a new challenge in the summer. The 34-year-old was only a third attacking option at Stamford Bridge in 2020-21, making just eight Premier League appearances.
Giroud’s limited playing time in west London has not affected his national team status as Didier Deschamps included the striker in his star-studded France’s Euro 2020 squad. Currently preparing for Les Bleus’ European Championship opener against Germany on Tuesday, the ex-Arsenal marksman could complete his move to Serie A in the midst of the tournament.
The Ligue 1 title winner with Montpellier has reportedly accepted Milan’s bid to join them on a two-year deal worth €4million per season. However, there is a stumbling block the parties have to overcome before finalizing the transfer. The Rossoneri are willing to sign Giroud, but only if he arrives on a free transfer, meaning it is up to the player to sort out his contractual situation at Chelsea.
As some reports suggest, the reigning Champions League titleholders are ready to sanction the Frenchman’s departure without a compensation fee. But Giroud’s move will hinge on Chelsea’s ability to land a new striker in the upcoming transfer window, with several high-profile names linked with a move to London.
The Blues have recently joined the race for Borussia Dortmund goal-machine Erling Haaland and are also entertaining the idea of re-signing Romelu Lukaku from Inter. Both players were impressive in 2020-21, but whether or not Chelsea could lure one of them to Stamford Bridge in the summer remains to be seen.