Player Could Be Keen On Move As Chelsea Plot Audacious Swoop On Arsenal

The January transfer window is in full swing so clubs are working hard trying to strengthen their squads for the second half of the season and put deals in place for the summer. Today, Chelsea are linked with Olivier Giroud….

Chelsea are lining-up an audacious swoop for Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud as Antonio Conte’s search for a new front-man continues, according to the Express.

Conte is desperately trying to sign a new target-man before the end of the month as he looks to ease the pressure on miss-firing striker Alvaro Morata – who’s scored just once in his last ten appearances.

Chelsea have been linked with a number of players in recent weeks but Edin Dzeko has emerged as a prime target with the Blues in talks with Roma about signing the 31-year-old.

The Express claim negotiations over a £30m deal for the Bosnian have stalled over personal terms so Conte is now eyeing alternative targets and Giroud is a surprise candidate.

The French international has found regular first team football hard to come by this season and is expected to leave this month to boost his chances of making the French World Cup squad.

Giroud has been offered by Arsenal as a makeweight in their pursuit of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Borussia Dortmund were initially keen on signing the striker as part of any deal.

However, it remains to be seen whether the 31-year-old will move to Germany as Giroud turned down a move to Everton last summer because his wife was reluctant to  leave London.

The Express claim Giroud and his family remain keen on staying in the capital so a move to Chelsea could appeal if the Blues were able to agree a deal with Arsenal over the coming days.

READ MORE –> Arsenal transfer news | Chelsea transfer news

But I would be shocked if the Gunners agreed to let Giroud join a direct rival this month as Arsene Wenger looks to climb back in to the top four so Chelsea may have to look elsewhere in their search for a striker.