CHELSEA will allow Olivier Giroud to join Tottenham – but the transfer will only go through if the Blues land Dries Mertens today.
However, SunSport understands it is very unlikely that Chelsea will be able to convince Mertens to join.
Chelsea will allow Olivier Giroud to move to White Hart Lane if they sign Dries MertensCredit: Getty – Contributor
Giroud, 33, has played just seven time for Chelsea this season with Frank Lampard preferring Michy Batshuayi as Tammy Abraham’s understudy.
His only goal came in the shootout defeat to Liverpool in the Super Cup on August 14.
With his lack of game time and contract up in the summer, Giroud was expected to leave Stamford Bridge this month as he tries to secure his place in the France squad for Euro 2020.
Reports claim he is prepared to skip training to force through a move today, with Lazio close to sealing a deal.
Inter Milan were keen but their interest cooled, while Aston Villa, Newcastle, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Crystal Palace and Lyon have all been linked this month.
But it is Tottenham that are now closest to landing the striker on Deadline Day.
The North London club knew that was a priority with Harry Kane recovering from hamstring surgery.
As revealed by SunSport, Daniel Levy is willing to spend just £10million on a new striker – infuriating other clubs by not getting anywhere near their asking fees.
However, the deal is still reliant on Mertens heading to Stamford Bridge as Giroud’s replacement.
The Belgian, 32, maintains he has a personal ambition to achieve first by becoming Napoli’s record goalscorer before he leaves.
He currently sits agonisingly close just four short of club legend Marek Hamsik’s 122 goals.
Lampard first identified Mertens as a possible addition to his squad back in early December and the Blues have been monitoring the player since.
Mertens is also out of contract at Napoli at the end of this season, who have been advised to cash in on their man.
Chelsea want to land Dries Mertens from Napoli before they agree to letting Giroud leaveCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
