Olivier Giroud looks set to continue his career at AC Milan. According to transfer market expert Gianluca Di Marzio, the talks between the parties involved are going very smoothly. The 34-year-old attacker appears to be leaving Chelsea for a maximum amount of two million euros: the fixed transfer fee is only one million euros and another million euros can be added if certain sporting achievements are met.
The bonus will be paid if Giroud plays a certain number of matches or if Milan qualify for the Champions League next season, it sounds like. Milan initially hoped to take Giroud on a free transfer, but last month Chelsea took advantage of a contractual option to extend his expiring contract for another year. For that reason, a transfer fee must still be paid for the veteran, who has been in talks with the vice champion of the Serie A for several weeks. Giroud can soon undergo a medical examination.
Giroud played seventeen league matches for Chelsea last season, nine of which as a substitute. He scored four times. Milan decided to work on his arrival after it became clear that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is out of circulation for the time being. The Swede missed the European Championship due to a knee injury, which he sustained in a league game against Juventus on May 9, and may need surgery. According to reports from last month, his recovery is slower than expected. Giroud has been the leading candidate to replace Ibrahimovic at short notice and looks set to leave Chelsea after a three-and-a-half-year contract.
Giroud, who scored 39 goals in 119 official games on behalf of Chelsea and participated in the European Championship with France, is not the only striker in the picture at the San Siro. Dusan Tadic of Ajax is also on the list of i Rossoneria. Last week, Di Marzio assured that Tadic’s arrival is separate from Giroud’s signing. The captain of Ajax confirmed this week The Telegraph that Milan has made an offer, but is not thinking of leaving. “I play at my dream club.”
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