The French international striker has revealed how close he got here to completing a move away from Stamford Bridge in the winter transfer window.
Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has confirmed that he received presents from Tottenham and Lazio in January, whilst admitting that he found a doable move to Inter to reunite with Antonio Conte as his most appealing option.
Giroud found regular playing time difficult to come by in the first half of the season, as new head coach Frank Lampard opted for Tammy Abraham as the main centre-forward in his Blues line up.
The World Cup winner is due to become a free agent in July, and was on hand to negotiate with any potential suitors throughout the last transfer window, however Chelsea had been solely prepared to sanction his departure if a alternative could be found.
Lampard was eventually unable to bring in an extra frontman, which means Giroud’s services were retained, in spite of the fact that a range of clubs have been chasing his signature – together with Spurs and Lazio.
Goal reported that the 33-year-old had reached an agreement to be part of Inter, which would have considered him link up with ex-Blues boss Conte once again, two years after the Italian lured him to Stamford Bridge from
Arsenal.
Giroud shook off the disappointment of the failed transfer as Lampard restored the Frenchman to his starting line up, and he has since helped Chelsea solidify their place in the Premier League’s top four.
It has been suggested that the veteran forward could now extend his stay at the Bridge past the summer, however he has conceded that he was keen to move onto pastures new at the start of the year.
“Everyone knows that the sporting project of Inter was the most interesting for me,” Giroud told Telefoot.
“Lazio and Tottenham additionally looked for me. At one point, it was a question of the place I wanted to go to play. I spoke to Conte on the phone.”
When asked whether or not he would like to remain in west London past the current season, which has been suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak, Giroud responded: “Yes. Yes. Of course.
“There are a few months to go, games to win and possibly every other trophy, and after, you know, I think I have two [or] three nice seasons in front of me.
“It’s not the time to discuss about contracts and everything but I will make a choice when it comes.”
