Everton are on the hunt for a centre-forward as Cenk Tosun could be leaving after struggling for form and playing time this season. Director of Football Marcel Brands has made it clear that he wants a target man striker, so who better to sign than Olivier Giroud? The Chelsea man is out of contract in the coming weeks and could be available on a free transfer. He was linked with the Toffees in the past too.
Giroud has made 61 appearances for Chelsea since joining from Arsenal in January 2018, scoring and creating 28 goals. The 32-year-old has proven himself to be one of the better Premier League strikers around and has all the attributes that Brands and Marco Silva are looking for. Giroud has contributed 19 goals in all competitions and has won 63% of his aerial duels in the league.
The French international has made 43 appearances across the board this season, but he’s racked up less than 900 minutes of football in the top-flight. Giroud is behind Gonzalo Higuain in the striker pecking order and looks unlikely to renew his £6.2m-a-year/£120k-per-week deal at Stamford Bridge this summer as a result.
Everton tried and failed to sign Giroud in the past, but they have a better chance of procuring his signature now as he’s unlikely to attract interest from a top-four club in Europe. His next month could be his last given his advancing age.
Crippy Cooke’s previous article
Opinion: Everton should sign £100k-per-week defender, could join on a free transfer