Ronald Koeman to return for Arsenal striker in January

Everton boss Ronald Koeman is prepared to lodge a fresh attempt to sign Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud in the January transfer window. The France international had been approached by the Toffees in the summer, but he decided to fight for his future with the north London giants.

He has since failed to start a single league outing for the Gunners, although he scored the winning goal in the 4-3 win over Leicester in the curtain raiser. Giroud has, however, started the Gunners’ games in the Europa League and the League Cup, but he is unlikely to be satisfied after he made the choice to stay put at the Emirates.

According to The Mirror, the Toffees could return for the French marksman in the New Year as they prepared to offer him regular first-team football ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

The Merseysiders have hardly found success with the likes of Dominic Calvin-Lewin and Sandro Ramirez up front, and this weekend saw an unlikely saviour with Oumar Niasse bagging a brace in the 2-1 comeback triumph over Bournemouth.

Niasse had not featured in a league outing in Koeman’s time in-charge, but the Senegalese was a surprise introduction on Saturday afternoon as he turned the game – with two goals late in the second-half.

Meanwhile, Giroud is facing immense competition from the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Alexandre Lacazette for a starting spot with France, and his reduced playing time at Arsenal could hamper his form with Les Bleus.

Earlier last month, Arsene Wenger insisted that the door was open for Giroud to join a new club in the summer, and the striker may have another tough choice to make when the transfer window reopens in three months’ time.

Giroud, 30, has notched 99 goals for the FA Cup holders since joining from Montpellier in the summer of 2012. The 100-goal mark could be considered a remarkable achievement for a player, who has given his utmost for the Gunners, and he will be hoping to achieve the target before the international break.

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