Chelsea Agree £18 million Fee for Olivier Giroud

Chelsea Agree £18 million Fee for Olivier Giroud

Chelsea have agreed an £18 million deal for Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud following the Gunners’ acquisition of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund for £55.4m.

Antonio Conte turned his attention to Giroud and Tottenham Hotspur’s Fernando Llorente after failing in their attempts to land Roma’s Edin Dzeko.

Giroud, 31, travelled with Arsenal for Tuesday night’s match against Swansea City where he came on as a second-half substitute as Arsene Wenger’s men fell to a shock 3-1 defeat.

The Blues have been able to convince Arsenal to sell Giroud to them with Dortmund needing a replacement before sanctioning the sale of Aubameyang in a striker shuffle that may see Chelsea’s Michy Batshuayi make a loan move to Germany to replace the Gabon international.

Dortmund are reportedly ready to cough out €1.5 million loan fee to secure Batshuayi’s services until the end of the season.

Batshuayi’s influence has improved Chelsea’s leverage in securing the France international striker, who won’t arrive in time to face Bournemouth but could be available for Chelsea’s trip to Watford next Monday, Goal writes.

Giroud currently has 18 months remaining on his Arsenal contract but he’d become unsettled at north London following the arrival of compatriot Alexandre Lacazette.

The big striker will see the switch to Stamford Bridge as an opportunity to secure his place in France’s squad for next year’s World Cup.