Juventus could be considering a move for Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud following Mario Mandžukić's departure to Al-Duhail.
The Bianconeri want to bring a new target man to Turin in an attempt to complement their already potent strike force, with manager Maurizio Sarri currently rotating the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuaín.
Juventus want another string to their bow up front, and La Stampa (via L'Equipe) report that Sarri wants a reunion with Giroud in Italy.
The 33-year-old featured regularly for Sarri at Chelsea, often being used in a similar way to the way he is with the national team in an attempt to bring out the best out of players like Eden Hazard, Willian and Pedro.
Giroud picked up a goal or assist on average every other game under Sarri, producing a similar record to his time under Arsène Wenger at Arsenal.
The France international isn't part of Frank Lampard's plans at Chelsea and it's expected that he'll be allowed to leave once the transfer window reopens next month.
He had been offered to AC Milan before Zlatan Ibrahimović's return to San Siro was confirmed, while Borussia Dortmund were also linked with Giroud as they search for a new centre-forward to provide cover for Paco Alcácer.
Returning to Ligue 1 had been looking as Giroud's most likely move as he looks to get regular game to before Euro 2020 and Girondins de Bordeaux were among the favourites to sign him - Scottish side Rangers have also been linked.
But La Stampa's report that Juventus are interested in a move could be enough to turn Giroud's head during the January transfer window, especially as older players like Sami Khedira, Blaise Matuidi and Juan Cuadrado still feature regularly.
Compared to his current situation at Chelsea, Giroud would be bound to get more game time under Sarri at Juventus, while joining the Bianconeri would also keep him fighting for silverware.
But with the likes of Wissam Ben Yedder, Alexandre Lacazette and Marcus Thuram knocking on the door for a call-up to the national team, Giroud could need to be playing week in, week out to keep his place in Didier Deschamps's squad next summer.
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Source :
90min
