Olivier Giroud is out of favour under Frank Lampard at Chelsea but could the World Cup winner join Premier League rivals Crystal Palace?
Crystal Palace are hoping to solve their goalscoring problems by signing Chelsea outcast Olivier Giroud in January, according to The Sun (22 October, page 49).
Roy Hodgson’s side have enjoyed a fine start to the season but, with just eight goals in nine Premier League games to their name, it is clear where the problems lie.
And Giroud has emerged as an option ahead of the January transfer window with the French World Cup winner seemingly stuck behind Tammy Abraham and Michy Batshuayi in Frank Lampard’s plans at Stamford Bridge.
The former Arsenal frontman has publicly cast doubt on his Chelsea future of late, despite only recently extending his £100,000 a week contract, and The Sun believes that the Blues could be tempted to let him go for just £3 million – £15 million less than they paid in January 2018.
£3 million is the sort of cash clubs like Crystal Palace find down the back of their sofa these days with Giroud, who is also a target for Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan, shaping up to be one of the winter window’s most mouth-watering bargain signings.
Not only is the 33-year-old a proven Premier League goalscorer, he also looks like the kind of strong, skilful number nine who could thrive as a pivot between roving wingers Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend.
Giroud scored 13 goals in all competitions last season, 11 in the Europa League alone.
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