West Ham United have joined the race to sign Olivier Giroud on a free transfer, according to Tuttomercatoweb.
The Italian outlet – via Sport Witness – claims the Hammers are one of three Premier League clubs eyeing the 36-year-old.
As well as West Ham, Brentford and Crystal Palace are also in pursuit of Giroud.
The AC Milan striker is out of contract at the end of the season and talks over a new deal haven’t yielded a breakthrough.
According to TMW, ‘some distance’ remains between the various parting regarding a new contract for Giroud.
This could open the possibility for other clubs to swoop in and land the 2018 World Cup winner on a free.
Apparently, there are clubs of ‘different levels’ wanting him, and those are West Ham, Brentford and Palace.
‘It’s a pleasure to play with him’
Links between West Ham and Giroud are nothing new.
Back in December 2020, the Frenchman was said to be the Hammers’ top transfer target ahead of the January window.
Now, with Giroud’s contract expiring, West Ham could have the chance to land him once again.
Giroud is a top player who has won a host of trophies including the World Cup and the Champions League.
He is also a prolific striker and this shows no signs of abating, with 12 goals (and six assists) for the season.
In 2020, Goal.com wrote an in-depth article praising Giroud’s style of play, in particular his link-ups.
It was entitled: “‘Best target man in the world’ – Giroud showing Pulisic why Hazard loved playing with Chelsea forward”.
The article included quotes from Eden Hazard after the Frenchman helped lay on a hat-trick for him against Cardiff in September 2018.
“Olivier’s a target man, maybe the best in the world; I think so,” Hazard said.
“When he gets the ball, he can hold the ball and we can go in deep with him, so for us it’s a pleasure to play with him.”
Gianluca Scamacca’s future at West Ham is uncertain, so the club could replace one tall centre-forward with another.
However, Giroud will be 37 this year, and has been playing in a slower-paced league this term.
With that in mind, could he handle the pace of the Premier League if he rejoins in the summer?
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