CRYSTAL PALACE are stepping up their interest in Chelsea outcast Olivier Giroud.
The Frenchman wants to leave Stamford Bridge having started just two games under Frank Lampard this season.
Crystal Palace are hoping to sign Olivier Giroud in JanuaryCredit: Getty – Contributor
He has fallen victim to Lampard’s decision to implement youth and is now third choice striker behind Tammy Abraham and Michy Batshuayi.
Giroud, who started in France’s last two internationals, will not be short of options with a host of clubs across Europe ready to offer him a final swansong.
The 33-year-old’s contract expires next summer but Chelsea still want around £5million to let him leave in January.
Not only that, Giroud is holding out for wages of around £7m-a-year and wants to sign a two-year deal with his new club.
Marseille, Montpellier, Lyon and Inter Milan are other clubs interested but are stumbling over his price.
They are unwilling to fork out so much money to a player they know will have no sell-on value.
But Palace are prepared to make a move in a desperate bid to help solve their issues in front of goal.
Boss Roy Hodgson was eager to sign a new front man in the summer but failed to get a deal over the line.
The Eagles are the second lowest scorers in the league this season with just ten goals in 12 matches.
He has lost faith in misfiring Christian Benteke meaning Jordan Ayew has been leading the line and has bagged four in 11 matches.
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard admits that he could never go and manage Tottenham
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
