According to Montpellier manager Rene Girard, French striker Olivier Giroud is trying his best to push through a move to London club Arsenal this summer.
Speaking to the French radio Girard said, “Arsenal are very interested and Giroud wants to play in England.
“If Arsene [Wenger] agrees with the president [Louis Nicollin], he will sign for them.”
The Gunners boss is currently covering the Euros for French TV and will have a closer look at the player during the event. The deal which is set to cost the Londoners a sum of around £12m will also see Marouane Chamakh going the other way to the Ligue 1 champions.
Arsenal have already signed Lukas Podolski from FC Cologne and are deliberating over a move for Yann M’Vila which might happen once the player returns from the Euros. But as initially suspected, Giroud is not going to be Robin Van Persie’s replacement at the Emirates. Reports emanating from North London reveal that Wenger is still confident of persuading Van Persie to stay on and sign a new contract after he returns. The Professor, as he is famously known for his footballing acumen, is hoping to wrap up the deal involving Giroud as early as possible to convince the Dutch striker of the club’s intentions to compete for all silverware in the coming season.
Van Persie has one year left on his current contract and is wanted by Manchester City and Juventus among other clubs. Juventus are serious about landing him and are willing to shell out £25m for the Gunner captain and offer him a weekly wage of £180k.