Serie A pairing Juventus and Inter Milan could potentially battle it out for the services of Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud at the end of the campaign. The France international was strongly tipped to leave the Emirates in the summer owing to his reduced gametime last term, but he felt that he was indebted to the Gunners for the 2017/18 season at least.
According to Calciomercato, the Frenchman’s resolve could be tested in eight months’ time with both Juventus and Inter Milan said to be eyeing his services. The Bianconeri have previously done business with the Gunners for goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, and they are now eyeing Giroud as a potential replacement for Mario Mandzukic, who could be offloaded next summer.
Meanwhile, the Nerazzurri also have their links with the north London club having failed with a late approach to pursue Shkodran Mustafi in the summer. Mauro Icardi, who is Inter’s club-captain is the sole out-and-out striker in Luciano Spalletti’s side, and the club have identified Giroud as a suitable competitor to the Argentine.
Giroud was no short of offers during the previous summer transfer window with both Everton and AC Milan credited with an interest in his signature. The Frenchman had the option of joining the former prior to the start of the season, but his commitment towards the Gunners was large enough for him to decline regular first-team football at Goodison Park.
The 31-year-old has firmly established himself as a regular for France over the past year, and he is pretty much assured of a place for next year’s World Cup regardless of his reduced playing time under Arsene Wenger.
Giroud is currently contracted to the Gunners until the summer of 2020, and he could be tempted by a move elsewhere next summer if he continues to play the role of a ‘Super Sub’ in the Premier League. The marksman recently notched his 100th goal in the Arsenal colours in the 4-2 Europa League triumph over BATE Borisov.
Image – Getty
