According to the Athletic’s David Ornstein, Olivier Giroud’s camp were surprised to see him linked with a January move to Newcastle – claiming they ‘knew nothing’ about our alleged loan offer.
This comes after the Telegraph reported over the weekend that we’d been in touch with Chelsea over a potential deal until the end of the season, however this seems to be news to the Frenchman.
Here’s what David Ornstein has had to say during his latest podcast for The Athletic this week, with Dominic Fifield also suggesting he’d be unlikely to join a side who aren’t competing for honours:
“There’s been contact to Giroud from loads of clubs.
“Although interestingly, as recently as yesterday where there were a lot of reports around Newcastle being in for him and making contract with Chelsea.
“Giroud’s camp knew nothing about interest from Newcastle.”
“He’s an interesting one. I did an interview with him last season, and he made it very clear that he would not join a club that is not competing for honours.
“So if he wants to play for France over the summer, he needs to have a massive climb down from that personal policy.”
His arrival on loan could make sense from a footballing perspective – with him being the sort of proven Premier League striker who could fit into our system and score goals – but this one seems so unlikely.
Not only have Chelsea suggested he’ll only leave if a replacement arrives, he’s said to earn over £100,000 a week, the loan fee would be big and the likes of Inter Milan (who are said to be keen) may be a more desirable option for the 6ft 3′ striker.
Why would he come to a team that will soon be in a relegation fight
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