According to Sky Sources Olivier Giroud is currently being targeted by Spanish giants, Atletico Madrid. Diego Simeone’s side are interested in taking the Chelsea striker for a season on loan yet it is believed that Chelsea would rather a permanent deal was agreed.
Giroud struggled for match time last season scoring only three goals in 13 appearances and it is yet to be known whether the Frenchman will be included in Sarri’s plans for the upcoming campaign. Chelsea completed the signing of Giroud only last summer in an 18-month deal for a fee of around £18m, but with Chelsea’s interest in Juventus forward Gonzalo Higuain heating up, it would be difficult to see Giroud gaining any satisfactory game-time this season.
The 31-year-old is coming back into the season as a World Champion and although he failed to score in seven appearances for France in Russia, he can offer Atletico something different to what they currently have. The move to Atletico would make sense as it would see Giroud join up with his international team mate, Antoine Griezmann.
According to Sky sources, Atletico Madrid’s primary target this summer is AC Milan striker, Nikola Kalinic. With Milan yet to make a decision on whether they will allow the Croatian striker to leave the club, Atletico have been forced to look elsewhere.
Reports have suggested that representatives of both clubs met in London recently to discuss a potential deal. Yet with Chelsea preferring a permanent switch, the move could be in doubt. For now, Giroud remains a Chelsea player but with this being said he will undoubtedly be frustrated with his sides possible move for Higuain and will surely be looking for an exit from the blues if that deal was to go through.
