Olivier Giroud left Chelsea for AC Milan this summer.

Serie A chief confirms Chelsea star is set to join the club

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Chelsea Transfer News: AC Milan on the brink of signing Olivier Giroud despite new contract

Speaking in an interview to DAZN (h/t The Mirror), AC Milan technical director, Paolo Maldini, confirmed that Olivier Giroud is on the verge of leaving Chelsea in the summer.

Giroud was only offered a new contract at Stamford Bridge as recently as last month. But with Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s fitness issues, he has been constantly linked with I Rossoneri. (h/t The Mirror)

And according to Maldini, the legendary Milanese defender, Giroud’s move to San Siro is very close to completion. The Frenchman would be ending a three-and-a-half-year stay at Stamford Bridge since his move from Arsenal.

AC Milan are edging closer to seal Olivier Giroud transfer from Chelsea.
AC Milan are edging closer to seal Olivier Giroud transfer from Chelsea. (imago Images)

“Yes, [Giroud] should arrive tomorrow. Olivier is a champion and a fresh winner of the Champions League. He is a very reliable player, what we were looking for since we need experienced players like him. We are the youngest team in Serie A.”

Milan edge closer to Giroud deal

It is evident that Giroud would not be needed as a first-team player anymore. Giroud, who will be 35 later this year, is arguably in the twilight of his career.

Tuchel clearly preferred Timo Werner over the Frenchman last season and it was highly unlikely for it to change this time around. The new contract, if anything, gave the Blues a chance to recoup some money for the former Montpellier man.

Thomas Tuchel did not prefer playing Olivier Giroud over Timo Werner on most occasions.
Thomas Tuchel did not prefer playing Olivier Giroud over Timo Werner on most occasions. (GETTY Images)

According to Sky Sports Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio, as relayed by Fabrizio Romano and covered by ASBTF last week, the Blues supposedly agreed on a €1million transfer fee for Giroud with €1million in further add-ons.

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That is a neat little sum for a player that the Blues risked losing on a free transfer. A new striker, however, could certainly help the club in its pursuit of trophies, which is why Tuchel’s pursuit of Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku makes sense.