Chelsea Offer Olivier Giroud to AC Milan But Rossoneri Close in on Zlatan Ibrahimović
By Tom Gott
Chelsea have offered unsettled striker Olivier Giroud to AC Milan in January, but I Rossoneri would prefer a move for former LA Galaxy forward Zlatan Ibrahimović instead.
Giroud has managed just seven appearances all season for Chelsea, starting just two games in the Premier League under Frank Lampard. His contract is set to expire at the end of the season, with a January move away now seeming likely.
According to Calciomercato, Giroud has been offered to AC Milan to try help solve their goalscoring crisis - Krzysztof Piątek has just three goals all season - but the Serie A side are not sure about a deal.
The Frenchman is looking for a two-year contract with a very high salary, but Milan would prefer to save that money to spend on someone else - namely Ibrahimović.
They want to bring the nomadic Swede back for a second spell at the club, and The Telegraph go so far as to state that Ibrahimović has already agreed a deal to return to San Siro in January.
The move has been made to help Milan try and climb back up the Serie A standings, but it is suggested that Ibrahimović will be allowed to walk away once more at the end of the season if Stefano Piolo's squad fail to improve.
The 38-year-old had offers from the Premier League but has instead opted to return to Milan, where he spent two seasons between 2010 and 2012.
Should Milan actually sign Ibrahimović, it would almost certainly bring an end to any potential move for Giroud.
Cross-town rivals Inter have also been linked with the France international, and a reunion with former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte certainly seems like a plausible option.
However, there is also plenty of interest in him from across Europe. In England, Crystal Palace are understood to be keen on striking a deal, while Borussia Dortmund have also been linked recently.