Everton have been handed a fresh transfer blow as Olivier Giroud is set to stay at AC Milan.
What’s the latest on Giroud to Everton?
As per transfer guru Fabrizio Romano’s latest tweet, the former Arsenal and Chelsea striker is set to sign a short-term deal with the Milan side.
The contract will run until June 2024 for the France international, who recently broke the record for the most goals for the national team.
Everton were interested in the forward and made an approach in January, yet Giroud was always set to stay and it now looks like he has secured his wishes with the extended contract.
The Italian journalist said:
“Olivier Giroud will sign new short-term deal with AC Milan in the next days, confirmed as expected – it’s all done #ACMilan. New contract valid until June 2024; Salary close to €3.5m net per year; Everton approached him in January but Giroud only wanted to stay.”
How would Giroud have solved Everton’s issues?
The 36-year-old striker would have come into an Everton side who have been void of goals this campaign – in fact, no club has less this Premier League season.
A lot of the Toffees’ striker issues have come down to Neal Maupay, signed for an undisclosed fee from Brighton and Hove Albion, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has been injured for a large chunk of the season, being unable to contribute in attack.
The problems that the Merseyside outfit have faced in the attack this season have led new manager Sean Dyche to deploy Demarai Gray as their main striker, with Ellis Simms also being given some game time.
If the relegation-threatened side were able to sign Giroud, they would have a reliable striker who has proven he can score in the Premier League. Despite his fluctuating seasons in an Arsenal shirt, the former Montpellier HSC striker scored a total of 90 Premier League goals for Arsenal and Chelsea combined at a rate of 0.56 per 90 minutes, via FBref.
His aerial threat, something which Dyche would admire considering his striker history, would be key for Everton if they were able to sign him. His ability to hold up play – once lauded as “the best in the world” as a target man by former teammate Eden Hazard – would provide Everton with relief from defending and offer a player that Gray can run off of and in behind the defence.
Despite his age, Giroud still has a knack for scoring goals.
The 36-year-old, who is on a reported £73k-per-week, has eight goals in 20 Serie A starts this season, which has earned him a WhoScored average match rating of 6.83 – proving that he still has the ability to play at the highest level.
Missing out on Giroud is a blow for the Toffees.
While he may not be the most exciting striker, he would still score goals, which is something they have struggled with immensely this season. While this may give the Merseyside club the opportunity to look elsewhere for a forward, their striker woes will continue for the immediate future.