Dortmund eye Giroud to replace Chelsea target Aubameyang

Joe Williams

Borussia Dortmund are plotting a move for Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud with the Frenchman’s future up in the air at the Emirates, according to reports.

The 30-year-old only started 11 Premier League matches last campaign, scoring 12 goals, and the France international has admitted that he is considering his options.

It could be the end for Giroud at Arsenal with their latest signing, Alexandre Lacazette, likely to be ahead of him in the pecking order along with Danny Welbeck and possibly Alexis Sanchez – if he remains at the club.

And the Daily Mirror claims that Dortmund are ‘in the frame to sign Giroud’ with the German side looking for a striker that could replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang if he leaves this summer.

The newspaper continues by saying that Aubameyang is ‘set to join Chelsea’, while Giroud is also understood to be interesting Everton, West Ham, Marseille and AC Milan.

“It (leaving) is an option to be honest with you,” Giroud, who only signed a new three-year deal in January, said at the launch of Arsenal’s new third kit in Sydney.

“I’m here in pre-season, I wanted to travel. Some people asked me if I am going to travel or not and of course, I am Arsenal player and for the moment I am here so I just want to prepare well for the season and we will see later.

“But it is true that I really enjoyed my five years with Arsenal. I’m still an Arsenal player for the moment so I try to be professional. No matter what happens, I did my job on the pitch.

“It’s been five years that I’ve been here. It could be my sixth one. I had an amazing welcome from the fans and from the club and it has been five amazing years for me.

“I won’t forget it, no matter what happens. We will see about my future but I am still an Arsenal player for the moment.”