Arsenal & Liverpool Up Interest In Olivier Giroud After Scouting Mission

Arsenal and Liverpool have upped their interest in Montpellier striker Olivier Giroud after watching the player in action this weekend, according to the Daily Mail.

Giroud started as Montpellier beat Toulouse 1-0 on Friday night to move a step closer to claiming the Ligue 1 title, and the Mail claims that Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, his assistant Steve Clarke and Arsenal scout Gilles Grimandi were in the stands to run-the-rule over the Frenchman.

However, the 25-year-old didn’t exactly take his opportunity to impress, after he missed a penalty and failed to add to his 19 league goals this season.

The Mail report that although Arsenal and Liverpool have been linked with the likes of Toulouse midfielder Moussa Sissoko and Montpellier captain Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa in recent months, it’s thought that Giroud was the main attraction for the Premier League duo.

It’s suggested that Montpellier rate Giroud at around £50m but the report claims that he has a release clause in his contract that means he’s available for £13.5m, making him an attractive proposition this summer.

Arsenal will remain in the driving seat for his signature due to the fact they are likely to be able to offer Champions League football, something Giroud is almost certain to have if he stays at Montpellier, while Liverpool will only be in the Europa League.

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