Report: Manchester City think 35-year-old fits the bill in attack, four goals in 21-22

By Will Butcher

The Athletic claim that Manchester City think AC Milan veteran Olivier Giroud ‘fits the bill’ in what they want in a striker. City are said to want to sign a striker, but one that would not expect to start every match under Pep Guardiola.

Of course, City failed to sign Tottenham star and England captain Harry Kane in the summer. They are said to remain interested in Kane, while Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland is a person of interest – amid his exit clause.

Giroud, meanwhile, is showing glimpses of class at Milan – having joined the Italian giants from Chelsea in the summer. Clocking up 15 appearances in all competitions, the 110-time France international has scored four goals.

The ex-Montpellier and Arsenal ace signed a two-year deal at Milan. He has 18 months left on his contract at Milan. But the report from The Athletic state that Giroud is a man of interest at Manchester City. He fits what they want.

“They think somebody like Olivier Giroud would fit the style. That’s both in terms of his skill set as a target man. But also as somebody who wouldn’t expect to play every game,” Athletic reporter Sam Lee says.

Manchester City eye Giroud: Could he really return to the Premier League?

Why not? In this day and age, it is very difficult to sign proven Premier League strikers – that are readily available. The summer-long pursuit of Kane is proof of that. So, Giroud still remains a valuable commodity.

Guardiola likes to chop and change in the final third. What City do lack, is that plan-B kind of striker. Gabriel Jesus is underrated. He is not a striker that you could pump the ball into the box, or cross it in and hope for a header.

Giroud would offer Manchester City something completely different. A move to The Etihad would also see Giroud not expect to start. But he would come off the bench regularly to try and test an opposition in a different way.