Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud is set to sign for AC Milan on a two-year deal with a medical scheduled for the end of the week.
Giroud has been an important member of the Blues' squad since signing from Arsenal in January 2018. Overall, he has made 119 appearances scoring 39 goals and also providing 14 assists.
In more recent times, his involvement has been sporadic. He was widely expected to exit the club last summer but surprisingly signed a new two-year deal instead. However, he is now finally set to leave Stamford Bridge.
According to Mohamed Bouhafsi, the World Cup winner will undergo his Milan medical on Friday. If all goes well, he will then pen a two-year deal at the San Siro.
Giroud’s contract was scheduled to expire this summer but Chelsea quietly triggered a one-year extension in order to receive a fee for the striker. Milan had initially been reluctant to pay, but it appears that those issues have now been ironed out. Their interest in Giroud is long-standing, with the Blues first offering him up to the Serie A side back in 2019.
Giroud will depart Stamford Bridge with FA Cup, Europa League and Champions League winners' medals. The Frenchman will be fondly remembered by Blues supporters, scoring some vital goals down the years.
He could meet his former club in Europe next season as well. After a lengthy absence, the Rossoneri are finally returning to the Champions League after securing a second-placed finish in Serie A last term.
Giroud’s departure has likely been influenced by Chelsea’s pursuit of Erling Haaland. Thomas Tuchel already has plenty of attacking talent at his disposal but is keen to add Haaland to his squad as well. Chelsea are even willing to spend as much as £150m on the free-scoring striker.
Source : 90min