AC Milan expect Olivier Giroud will sign a new contract with the Serie A side in the next 24-48 hours. But the striker will earn less than if he accepted a transfer to Everton in January.
That is according to Calciomercato, which reports Giroud is set to sign a new deal to stay at San Siro until June 2024. The France forward’s existing contract is due to expire at the end of this season. But the Rossoneri count on him recommitting to the team for another year.
Giroud is now in a decisive phase of his negotiations with AC Milan about his new contract. The 36-year-old is negotiating a pay rise from his exiting deal to get €4m-a-year (£68k-a/w) going forward. It is his first new contract since joining from Chelsea for £1m in July 2021.
Everton blew AC Milan’s contract offer out of the water for Giroud’s transfer
Yet Giroud’s new contract with AC Milan is worth significantly less than Everton offered for his transfer this January. Prior reports by Calciomercato noted that the Toffees were ready to pay the 120-cap Les Bleus icon €8.5m-a-year (£145k-a/w) in a desperate last-gasp deal.
Everton would have also given Giroud a contract through to June 2025 to hand Sean Dyche a new striker. Yet he politely turned down the chance to return to the Premier League over the final hours of the January window. Even if he currently earns €3.5m-a-year (£60k-a/w).
Giroud chose against returning to England as he and his family are happy in Milan. The 53-goal France record holder also wants to help the Rossoneri get their season back on track. After winning Serie A for the first time in 11 years last season, they are down in sixth place.
Now, AC Milan will reward Giroud’s loyalty with an improved contract, albeit still miles off Everton’s offer for a transfer. The striker, who David Trezeguet called the ‘most complete’ World Cup player, has scored six and assisted four goals in 19 Serie A outings this season.
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