Harry Diamond
Reports suggesting that Olivier Giroud could be set for a move to Juventus seem to be somewhat premature, the Chelsea striker having been reported to have agreed a two year deal with the Italian champions
Juventus are keen to bring in a recognised centre-forward following the departure of Gonzalo Higuain, the Argentina international set to join MLS side Inter Miami after terminating the final year of his contract with the Bianconeri by mutual consent.
According to Sky Sports Italia, Juventus have identified Olivier Giroud as a potential replacement, even saying that the veteran has agreed a two-year deal worth €4.5m and claiming Chelsea would be prepared to allow the Frenchman to depart should they receive a fee of just €5m.
Despite the apparent agreement, the report did suggest that the 33-year-old was not one of Juventus’ primary targets, saying that any interest in Giroud would only be firmed up should they ‘fail to close for any of the other names on which they are working’.
However, even though Giroud looks set for a reduced role at Stamford Bridge this season following the arrival of Timo Werner, reports of him agreeing terms with Juventus seem to be wide of the mark, with Simon Johnson of The Athletic insisting that the striker is ‘not in contact with the Serie A side’ and that the player is ‘staying at Chelsea’.
Amid reports from Italy about a 2-year contract being agreed with Juventus last night, sources have told me Olivier Giroud is staying at #CFC & camp are not in contact with Serie A side. Giroud knows he has role to play on & off pitch as senior squad member.
— Simon Johnson (@SJohnsonSport) September 11, 2020
Andrea Pirlo’s side have been linked with a whole host of attacking options this summer, including Luis Suarez, though a move for the Barcelona forward has been hampered by eligibility issues, the Uruguayan needing to pass a language test and gain an Italian passport, with Juventus having already signed two non-EU players in Arthur and Weston McKennie this summer.
Roma’s Edin Dzeko has also been considered as an experienced alternative, though the capital club are reluctant to allow the Bosnia international to depart until a replacement has been secured, talks over a deal for Napoli’s Arkadiusz Milik having failed to find an agreement as yet.
Napoli will demand a fee of €35m for the 26-year-old, with Roma’s hopes of including Cengiz Under as part of a potential deal complicated by a second cruciate knee ligament injury suffered by Nicolo Zaniolo.
Edinson Cavani has also been mooted as a potential target with the star currently a free agent following his departure from PSG, however, Atletico Madrid have now joined the race for the Uruguayan who had seemed set for a move to Benfica.
Former forward Moise Kean – who has endured a difficult debut season in English football with Everton – is another player Juventus have considered, though the Toffees are understandably not keen on allowing the youngster to leave on loan after shelling out £27m for him last summer,
Whether Juventus do eventually make a move for Giroud is yet to be seen.
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