Agent explains why Olivier Giroud was never joining Everton in January

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The agent of AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud insists that the Serie A veteran was never likely to return to the Premier League with Everton during the January transfer window, speaking to Calciomercato. 

Believe it or not, Milan’s current form would give even Everton’s a run for it’s money.

Stefano Pioli’s side are winless in six. They have suffered three consecutive defeats by an aggregate score of 12-2. Any lingering hopes Milan may have had of defending their Scudetto crown from a seemingly unstoppable Napoli have been well-and-truly extinguished. 

There is, at least, a Champions League knockout clash with Tottenham Hotspur to look forward to. And Giroud, the Rossoneri’s evergreen 36-year-old centre-forward, was highly unlikely to consider swapping a seat at Europe’s top table for a relegation dogfight in England. 

Everton are big fans of AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud

“I can only say that he never wanted to think about leaving AC Milan,” says Vincenzo Morabito, speaking on behalf of the 2018 World Cup winner.

“There is a good relationship with the club and with the fans. What comes out of England are situations that I want to avoid commenting on. (Giroud has) a contract until June.”

According to Calciomercato, Everton came calling for the former Arsenal and Chelsea frontman on deadline day; putting forward a deal worth potentially as much as £140,000-a-week at Goodison Park. 

“Milan themselves have never considered parting with the player,” Moribato adds. “In the league, he is contributing a lot. Last year, he was decisive and won Milan many points. He always scores big goals.”

Giroud has an impressive 10 goals and six assists this season. He scored a further four times at the Qatar World Cup; Didier Deschamps Les Bleus side reaching a second successive final. 

Everton, who ended the window without a single new signing, are long-time admirers of Giroud. The one-time Ligue 1 champion once admitted to Canal Plus that he came ‘very close’ to joining the Toffees back in 2017. 

“I had the opportunity to leave,” Giroud explained. “I was very close to another English club, Everton. But I think I made the best choice (staying at Arsenal).”