Olivier Giroud Move to Tottenham Could Still Happen - Despite Suggestions Deal Is Off

Chelsea could still sanction the sale of Olivier Giroud - despite claims that a move to Tottenham, or anywhere else, won't be happening this January.

In a bid to secure first-team football ahead of the upcoming European Championships this summer, Giroud has been eager to leave west London after falling down the pecking order at Chelsea - even though his position in France's squad is likely not under threat.

Movement in the Giroud transfer saga as Spurs agree a fee for the Frenchman. The deal will only go through if Chelsea can secure a replacement.

Mertens/Cavani ➡️ Chelsea 
↪️ Giroud ➡️ Spurs ⚪️https://t.co/I6HRBWcYJK
— 90min (@90min_Football) January 31, 2020

90min first told you that Spurs had been approached by Giroud’s agent with a view to signing the former Arsenal striker on a two-and-a-half year deal, while 90min later revealed that Spurs were growing increasingly confident of striking a deal with Chelsea.

Rumours have circulated, however, that head coach Frank Lampard will not allow the 33-year-old to leave the club unless a replacement forward is secured.

The likes of Dries Mertens and Edinson Cavani have been linked, but David Ornstein of The Athletic, among others, claims that Chelsea will not be able to bring in another striker, preventing Giroud from leaving.

Ornstein remarks that Giroud will stay until the summer regardless of whether he plays, and that it would require something 'extraordinary' for there to be major change ahead of the 11pm deadline. These sentiments are echoed elsewhere.

However, a source has told 90min that those suggestions are wide of the mark, and that a departure is still on the cards for Giroud. The Frenchman wants out before deadline day and Chelsea sanctioning the move is not dependent on a replacement coming in.

Being told Chelsea’s attempts to secure a replacement for Olivier Giroud are over & he’ll stay at #CFC until the summer regardless of whether he plays. Would take something extraordinary to change the situation before tonight’s 11pm deadline @TheAthleticUK https://t.co/JsZSmCIYUC
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) January 31, 2020

Mertens and Cavani are likely to stay put, but Chelsea do have Tammy Abraham and Michy Batshuayi on the books, with Pedro an emergency option if required.

Earlier in the window it appeared nailed on that Giroud would swap England for Italy, with Inter closing in on a deal that would see Antonio Conte reunited with his former player. A move to Serie A was even classed as a 'total agreement', with an initial €5m to be paid for his services.

Spurs' late move threw a spanner into those works, with 90min since learning that Inter were only ever interested in securing a pre-contract agreement. Giroud wants to stay in London, wants to work with José Mourinho and, perhaps crucially, wants to be playing - so don't rule out movement just yet.

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Source : 90min