Chelsea’s search for a new striker has been a little strange.
Andy Carroll, Peter Crouch and Ashley Barnes are all effective players in their own right, but are they good enough to play for Chelsea? A few years ago, Crouch would have been, but the former Liverpool and Spurs forward is currently 36 and in the winter of his career. While Carroll and Barnes aren’t exactly the first players you would think of to lead the line at the Premier League champions.
Chelsea might have even signed Carroll from West Ham had he not injured his ankle. They’re also understood to be in talks with Roma about a transfer for Edin Dzeko, after his impressive form the Serie A side. It would make a lot more sense to sign Dzeko, as the former Manchester City striker would prove an extremely capable back-up option for Alvaro Morata, and could even play alongside the Spanish forward
However, according to Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol, talks to sign Dzeko have “stalled” and Chelsea are now interested in taking Olivier Giroud on-loan from Arsenal.
Dzeko to Chelsea stalled. Chelsea looking at signing Giroud on loan. Giroud can only leave Arsenal if they sign Aubameyang. If Aubameyang leaves Dortmund they want Lucas Moura from PSG. Moura prefers move to Spurs
— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) January 26, 2018
Giroud has been a valuable player for Arsenal since joining the club from Montpellier in 2012, scoring 105 goals in 252 appearances, but has found first-team opportunities limited this season. The Gunners are in talks to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund, and Giroud would only slip further down the pecking order should he arrive at the Emirates.
There had been reports that Dortmund wanted the French forward on-loan, as part of the deal to take Aubameyang to Arsenal. However, that option now appears to be off the table.
❌ NO DEAL ❌
Olivier Giroud will not be leaving Arsenal for Borussia Dortmund in the January transfer window, according to Sky sources https://t.co/dJldv4g9Cw pic.twitter.com/xEd1oikUgV
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 25, 2018
Giroud’s potential move to Chelsea could depend on Arsenal completing a transfer for Aubameyang, but there’s no doubt he would be a shrewd signing for Chelsea. The 31-year-old has scored 17 goals as a substitute in the Premier League, the same amount of goals from the bench as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United’s famous “super-sub”, managed during his spell in England.
If Chelsea are looking for a short-term, “plan b”, tall striker, and it’s pretty obvious that they are, then it’s difficult to think of a better choice than Giroud. Whether Arsenal will be keen on allowing another player join a rival this month remains to be seen.
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