Arsene Wenger has suggested that Everton and Southampton target Olivier Giroud will not be leaving Arsenal.
Olivier Giroud
Everton’s and Southampton’s hopes of landing Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud during the January transfer window appear to have been dashed after Arsene Wenger insisted that the Frenchman will not be leaving the Gunners, the Daily Mirror reports.
The Daily Express recently reported that both the Toffees and the Saints were keen on bolstering their striker options next month and had identified the 31-year-old as a potential target – with the latter even reportedly considering breaking their transfer record to bring the forward to St Mary’s.
It seems more than likely that Southampton’s desire in particular to land Giroud would have increased on Sunday as it was his 88th minute header that denied Mauricio Pellegrino’s men the three points when they faced Arsenal.
But when asked whether he would be willing to let such an important player leave in January, Wenger suggested that he had no intention of letting the former Montpellier man join one of their Premier League rivals.
Arsene Wenger
“Is it up to him or up to us? It’s up to us. It’s a remarkable achievement what he has done again today.”
It would have certainly been a coup for either Everton or Southampton had they been able to tempt Giroud away from the Emirates. He has scored four times in the top flight despite still awaiting his first league start of the campaign.
But it now appears that both clubs will have to look elsewhere if they hope to add to their striker options next month.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
