Everton are setting the pace in the transfer market and are looking to add to their strike force that will already include Wayne Rooney and Sandro Ramirez.
Manager Ronald Koeman has driven Everton’s transfers through and has the Romelu Lukaku money to spend on revitalising Everton’s attack. And a major Everton target is Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud, according to the Daily Star.
Everton could be in a good position now that West Ham have ended their interest in the Arsenal striker, according to SkySports.
But having already signed Wayne Rooney for an undisclosed fee, according to the BBC, Koeman may be setting his sights on other cheaper targets than Giroud.
Koeman has started attempts to sound out Wilfried Bony, according to the Daily Express. Giroud is probably still Koeman’s preferred striker target, but Everton do face competition from Borussia Dortmund for the Arsenal striker, via the Daily Mail.
Everton will be aware that Wilfried Bony has not been in great form on loan at Stoke City, although he scored twice in 10 appearances last season. Koeman may just be covering his options, should he not sign Giroud.
Signing both players would no doubt please Everton fans, but even Koeman will have a transfer budget to stick to.
Giroud is the star target that shouts goals.
The Frenchman has consistently found the net for Arsenal, whether coming on from the bench or when starting games, hitting 12 goals in 2017-18. The problem for Giroud is that he has been under-used at Arsenal with manager Arsene Wenger playing him as a substitute in 18 of his 29 appearances for the Gunners last season.
Everton may seem a good fit for Giroud, who has good Premier League experience, and has been clear that a move for him is possible this summer, as reported by the Daily Mail.
However, a move for Giroud is far from Arsene Wenger’s thoughts who told the Daily Telegraph: “We extended [Giroud’s] contact last year. Our resolution is clear. He’s been great value to the squad and I think he is a great lover of the club. He’s always been very determined to stay.”
The Giroud transfer saga may not be over yet.
West Ham United’s exit from the race to sign Giroud has made a difference, as Everton’s odds have strengthened to 5-6 favourites from 5-4, and Borussia Dortmund are at 5-1, according to SkyBet.
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