Serie A powerhouses Napoli and AC Milan have entered the race to sign Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, according to Italian outlet SportsMediaSet, which claims the forward could be open to a move.
Giroud, who joined the Gunners from Ligue 1 side Montpellier in 2012, has slipped down the pecking order for Arsene Wenger’s side this season, with a succession of injuries coupled with Alexis Sanchez’s sensational form in a central striking berth reducing the strapping Frenchman to just one solitary start this term.
The 30-year-old hitman, who has netted a highly-respectable 85 goals in 194 appearances for Arsenal since moving to English football, has cut a frustrated figure from the Gunners’ bench in recent weeks, and he expressed his frustrations during an interview with French outlet L’Equipe last week (as quoted by The Sun), conceding that he is unhappy with his current first-team status.
With his current Arsenal contract set to expire at the end of next season, news of Giroud’s discontent has alerted a host of high-profile European clubs to his potential availability, and SportsMediaSet claim that Italian giants Napoli and Milan are set to go head-to-head for the French international’s signature in January.
The report claims that Milan coach Vincenzo Montella is desperate to bolster his attacking ranks during the upcoming transfer window, and the young Italian coach wants Giroud to replace misfiring striker Carlos Bacca, whose future at the San Siro looks increasingly uncertain.
An injury to Polish frontman Arek Millik has left Napoli painfully light on striking options, and the Serie A outfit could be set to turn their attentions away from current West Ham loanee Simone Zaza if they are given any indication that Arsenal would be willing to entertain offers for Giroud in January.
Although Giroud appears to be set for a more peripheral role with Arsenal this season after four season’s of being the club’s first-choice centre-forward, the prolific French poacher has still netted three goals in the Gunners last three outings.
And it is highly unlikely that Wenger will allow the former Montpellier hitman to leave in January without having a suitable replacement lined up, especially with the need for his services now highlighted by a suspected injury to Alexis Sanchez.