Crystal Palace set to make January Bid For Olivier Giroud?

Crystal Palace are set to make a January bid for unsettled Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud, as per reports in England. 

The Eagles have been an ambitious side for quite some time now and have been performing quite decent this season. 

The south London club sits on the ninth spot in the Premier League table after ten games and manager Roy Hodgson is keen to clinch a top-six place this season. Therefore, he is looking for a reliable and experienced goal-scorer and Giroud fits the bill perfectly. 

The former England manager reportedly believes that the former Arsenal man could be the man to solve his striker problems. The 2018 World Cup winner is struggling for game-time at Chelsea and is reportedly looking for a move in January. 

Giroud's contract at Stamford Bridge runs out at the end of the season and he fears his lack of game time could see him missing out on a place on the French side for next summer’s European Championships. He has not started for the Blues since August and his frustration is quite understandable.  

Frank Lampard is reportedly not willing to sanction a move for Giroud in the middle of the season. However, the Frenchman is behind red-hot Tammy Abraham and even Michy Batshuayi in the pecking order and therefore it is believed that Giroud will be desperate to complete a move away from Stamford Bridge. 

Hodgson has already been shut-down by the Blues earlier in the summer when his attempts to sign Michy Batshuayi failed following the Belgian’s successful loan spell at Selhurst Park last season.

Lampard is reluctant to lose any of his senior players with the club still serving a transfer ban. 
However, it is reported that he understands Giroud's situation and could change his stance on the 33-year-old. 

Speaking recently on Giroud's situation, he said: "I had a good chat with Oli before he went away and I always respect all the players, but particularly the players of that age of low thirties. 

"I love his professionalism. He was bang on when he spoke to me and with his quotes when he was away with France.” 

"He should not be happy and accept not playing. That is what good players do. I think as I said to Oli, he will get his games and be a big influence for us.” 

“At the moment, because of how Tammy is playing, there has not been the minutes, so I would happily sit down with Oli in January. But that is a long way away. I want him here.” 

Giroud cost Chelsea £18 million when they signed him from Arsenal in January 2018 and also signed a 12-month extension to his £100,000-a-week contract in May. 

However, since the arrival of Lampard, he has barely featured in the eleven, while Abraham has been on fire and looks irreplaceable. 

Italian giants Inter Milan have also been monitoring Giroud’s situation with Antonio Conte wanting to reunite with him. However, regular first-team football should be Giroud's priority and Crystal Palace would, therefore, be an ideal choice. 

Cover image credits: The Sun