Chelsea are set to offer Olivier Giroud as makeweight in an attempt to sign Moussa Dembele with Lyon remaining determined to keep the striker.
The Frenchman has been in fine form for the Ligue 1 side this campaign, hitting ten goals in just 18 league appearances, while last season the 23-year-old managed 15 in 33 games.
Chelsea to test Lyon resolve by offering Olivier Giroud as part of £40million Moussa Dembele transfer https://t.co/nJQ25fuSXU
— The Sun - Chelsea (@SunChelsea) January 7, 2020
Frank Lampard is understood to have earmarked the former Celtic frontman as the player to relieve some of the goalscoring burden from Tammy Abraham. The Blues have already had a bid of €40m rejected earlier this month, with Lyon even issuing a public statement reaffirming their commitment to keeping their offensive talisman.
Furthermore, it was reported that the striker had 'accepted' that a move to the Premier League was unlikely in January due to the injuries of Memphis Depay and Jeff Reine-Adelaide leaving Rudi Garcia's side short of attacking options.
However, even this has not deterred Chelsea in their pursuit of the Frenchman with the Sun reporting that the club plan to offer Giroud in a player-plus-deal for Dembele. It is understood that a fee involved in the offer will be around £40m.
Giroud has found himself well down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge recently, despite the fact that he top scored in the Europa League last season - helping his side to lift the trophy in May. This campaign, the 33-year-old has made just seven appearances in all competitions, with his only goal coming in the UEFA Super Cup final against Liverpool back in August.
Giroud is understood to have been told by France manager Didier Deschamps that in order to have any chance of making Les Bleus Euro 2020 squad in the summer, he needs to be playing regular first team football.
The former Arsenal man is understood to be keen on a move to Inter during the transfer window in a deal that would see him link up with the man who brought him to Chelsea - Antonio Conte.
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Source : 90min