Report: PL rival concerned Tottenham could sign ‘ultimate professional’, scored 4 goals in 2020/21
According to Milan News, Chelsea extended the contract of Olivier Giroud over fears Tottenham Hotspur could sign the striker.
Chelsea announced last week they had taken up a one-year clause, as Giroud would otherwise have been a free agent. The Frenchman moved to Stamford Bridge from Arsenal for £18m (BBC) in 2018 and has since won three major trophies.
AC Milan were keen to explore a deal for the 2018 World Cup winner had he left west London unattached. The San Siro natives remain interested in his situation, but are refusing to pay a transfer fee for the 34-year-old.
Giroud’s agent wants Chelsea to release the forward from his contract to seal a move abroad. But he is interested in staying in England as a number of Premier League sides are also monitoring his situation.
Chelsea feared Tottenham could emerge as an option for the £110,000-per-week centre-forward. And it was this fear that forced Thomas Tuchel’s side to take up their option to extend his contract.
Spurs have held an interest in Giroud for some time. Calciomercato listed the north Londoners among five potential destinations for the Frenchman in November last year. Inter Milan, Inter Miami, West Ham and Paris Saint-Germain also sounded out his situation.
Tottenham explored a deal in the January 2020 window, as well, per Bleacher Report. They marked Giroud as the club’s top target under Jose Mourinho after hearing that Chelsea may listen to offers. Spurs also viewed him as the perfect man to stand in for Harry Kane while injured.
TBR’s view: Giroud would have been solid for Tottenham
Giroud will not be leaving Chelsea and lining up for Tottenham next season after signing his one-year contract extension. But the Frenchman would have been a solid pick-up for Spurs under whichever manager replaces Mourinho at the helm.
He would not have been the first-choice at the club or a replacement for Kane, but a strong squad player. Frank Lampard lauded Giroud for being the ‘ultimate professional’ (Daily Mail) for how he handled being behind Timo Werner and Tammy Abraham in the pecking order.
Giroud is a consistent goal threat, even though his game time is heavily restricted, as well. He bagged four in 17 Premier League appearances last season, starting eight, while also netting six on route to winning the Champions League.
On a free transfer, Tottenham Chairman Daniel Levy would have struggled to say no to signing Giroud.
