The agent of Olivier Giroud has reportedly begun talks with Roma, sparking rumours of a Chelsea exit this summer.
The Frenchman’s contract expires in June which means he can speak to interested clubs across Europe.
It’s unlikely that Giroud will sign a new deal as manager Thomas Tuchel favours Timo Werner up front.
FEATURE: Football365’s famous Euro 2020 England ladder
According to Italian source Gazzetta dello Sport (via Daily Mail), the player’s agent has started formal talks with Roma over a transfer.
Giroud could make a Serie A switch in the summer to end his three-year spell at Stamford Bridge.
Despite his solid goal return, the striker tends to operate from the bench at Chelsea.
£47.5million signing Werner is viewed as the long-term option in attack.
He’s managed just one goal in his last 20 Premier League matches but might flourish in the future under Tuchel.
Giroud also has to compete with teammates Tammy Abraham and Kai Havertz for a starting place.
As a result, he’s yet to play a full 90 minutes in the league this campaign.
Instead, his best performances have come in the Champions League.
He bagged all four goals as Chelsea swept past Spanish side Sevilla in December.
The 34-year-old then scored a brilliant overhead kick as the Blues overcame Atletico Madrid in the round of 16.
They went on to win the tie 3-0 on aggregate to secure their place in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Giroud has received praise from Tuchel this term, with the German having said he ‘trains like a 20-year-old’.
The player has proven himself on plenty of occasions for Chelsea, but is unlikely to ever be their first-choice striker.
Roma will now rival plenty of clubs for Giroud’s signature.
West Ham were interested in him during the last transfer window, while Juventus and Atletico Madrid have also been linked.
Giroud remains an attractive signing despite his age. He’s won a host of trophies at club level, including the 2018/19 Europa League and four FA Cups.
On the international stage, he helped France to win the biggest prize of all, the World Cup, in 2018.
The post Giroud nears Chelsea exit as agent ‘enters talks’ with Roma appeared first on Football365.