ANTONIO CONTE wants to reunite with Olivier Giroud as Chelsea look to balance the books, according to reports.
The Inter Milan manager is a huge fan of Giroud from his two-year stint as Blues boss and attempted to sign him in January.
Inter Milan are ready to make their move for Olivier GiroudCredit: AFP or llicensors AFP or Licensors
Conte is in the market for a new front man this summer to provide cover for Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez, with the latter being linked with a switch to Barcelona.
According to Tuttosport, the 33-year-old French veteran remains his first choice and will feel confident he can get a deal over the line.
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is tasked with raising funds after their sensational summer splurge.
He has already spent £134million on Ben Chilwell (£50m), Timo Werner (£48m) and Hakim Ziyech (£36m) this window.
And that figure could still significantly rise with Chelsea locked in negotiations to sign Kai Havertz for a club-record £90m.
West Ham’s Declan Rice and a potential new goalkeeper are also on Lampard’s shortlist.
Werner’s arrival means competition for places in attack are rife with Tammy Abraham also pushing for a starting role.
Giroud barely featured in the first half of last season but regained form after Christmas to play a key role in Chelsea’s fourth-place finish.
The striker has just one year left on his contract and would not command a high transfer fee.
Emerson Palmieri, Jorginho, Ross Barkley and Davide Zappacosta are all thought to be available for the right price.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
