Chelsea has offered French international Olivier Giroud plus cash for Lyon striker Moussa Dembele, as per claims made by transfer expert Ian McGarry. Having appeared just seven times for the Blues in all competitions this season, Giroud has scored only one goal.
The Frenchman himself is keen on leaving Stamford Bridge to get more minutes under his belt and ensure his place in the France squad for next summer’s European Championships.
Meanwhile, Chelsea is understood to be highly interested in signing Lyon’s forward Dembele and have identified the 23-year-old as their primary target for this upcoming winter transfer window.
“Olivier Giroud long underused since Frank Lampard has come into the club as head coach,” McGarry said on the Transfer Window Podcast.
“He’s made only seven appearances, in fact, this season so far, five of them in the league and scored only one goal. He’s made no secret about his desire to leave to get playing time.
“What’s interesting about Giroud is not him wanting to leave but that Chelsea has offered him to Lyon in part-exchange plus cash for their France international striker and former Celtic striker Moussa Dembele.
“Dembele is someone who Lyon values but he himself is not extremely happy in Ligue 1 and sees himself as under-challenged. He’s scored 10 goals in 18 appearances in Ligue 1 this season so far. He is someone who has always looked at the Premier League as a destination for him to fulfill an ambition.
“Chelsea would be a good option for him, we know that Lampard is desperate to get a striker to take all of the pressure off of Tammy Abraham and indeed that’s certainly the case. Giroud would be very open to a move back to Lyon.”
Tammy Abraham has emerged as the star forward for the Blues this season, having already netted 12 Premier League goals.
However, ESPN FC pundit Stewart Robson has urged Chelsea to sign a striker better than the England international next month.
“I’m not sure there’s too much that they need to improve, I just think they need to be more consistent,” Robson said.
“I don’t think that will come through buying players, I just think he needs to get his team selection right, he needs to get the players playing. I think probably he’s given up on Giroud as a second striker so he probably needs cover for Tammy Abraham.
Tammy Abraham’s done quite well but I’m sure if they can get a second striker or one that’s better than Tammy Abraham, that would be a good signing.”
Chelsea will now play Brighton away on New Year’s Day.
