Serie A clubs eyeing up a move for Arsenal’s Giroud?

Daniel Storey

Reports in Italian media claim that Napoli and Milan are eyeing up a move for Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud.

Sport Mediaset report that Napoli manager Maurizio Sarri wants a replacement for Arkadiusz Milik, who suffered a serious injury that will keep him out until the end of the season.

With the money from the Gonzalo Higuain deal allowing Napoli to spend more freely, Sarri would like to test Arsenal’s resolve to keep hold of Giroud.

However, it is also mentioned that Milan would like to sign Giroud as competition for Carlos Bacca after their bright start to the season.

There have been related reports in the English press that Giroud would like to sit down with Arsene Wenger to discuss his future. He has started just one game this season.

“When I look from the stands at Arsenal, a team that plays well and made a very good start to the season, it seems my train leaves without me and I must not get too far behind,” he told L’Equipe.

“The coach has given me a month of complete holiday, as with Lolo [Laurent Koscielny]. They have the need to offer a real break to the players who went far in the competition in the years of the Euros or World Cup.

“I had wanted to play again quickly, but he [Wenger] really insisted that I take my time telling me that some players returned to their best level in November.”

If Giroud was given the promise of regular first-team football at Napoli or Milan, would he jump at it?