Deal agreed, as Granovskaia makes vital intervention to seal star Chelsea exit – report

Marina Granovskaia Chelsea director

Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has agreed a two-year deal with AC Milan thanks to an intervention from director Marina Granovskaia, a report claims.

The 34-year-old has continually faced speculation over his future ever since joining from Arsenal in 2018. After the January 2020 winter transfer window, he revealed that he could have joined Tottenham. But despite improving his game time thereafter, he came close to leaving earlier this year too.

Last May, he signed a new one-year deal to temporarily banish talk of his future.

Giroud has signed another such deal now, but has continued to have links with a move to Milan.

According to Calciomercato, Chelsea have agreed to let the striker leave for free and waiver his one-year agreement if he moves abroad.

Club director Granovskaia – who plays a central role in the Blues’ transfer dealings – has sanctioned the move.

The Italian source also reveals the details of Giroud’s proposed contract with the Serie A giants.

He will reportedly earn €4million (£3.4million) per season for the two years, as well as bonuses.

Giroud supposedly chose Milan as his ideal next destination ‘several weeks ago’. However, the issue of his new one-year arrangement with Chelsea initially got in the way.

Can England win it? - Planet Sport Euros Preview

Can England win it? - Planet Sport Euros Preview

Not long to go until England start their Euro 2020 campaign with a tough test against Croatia on Sunday. Mark Smith, Pete Farries and Scott Allen take a closer look at their strengths and weaknesses.

Now that Granovskaia has resolved the matter, though, Calciomercato adds that Giroud’s move is a formality.

Should Giroud leave Chelsea, he will do so having won three lots of major silverware since 2018. After the FA Cup in 2018, the Europa League followed in 2019 before the Champions League last month.

He could also add the European Championships to his collection this summer.

Giroud, Mbappe rift threatens France

Olivier Giroud, Kylian Mbappe, Benjamin Mendy France v Netherlands September 2018

However, a rift between Giroud and fellow French striker Kylian Mbappe has emerged ahead of the tournament.

After Tuesday’s friendly win over Bulgaria, the former said: “Sometimes you make the runs and ball is not arriving. Perhaps we could have found each other better, there it is.”

Mbappe took issue and asked coach Didier Deschamps if he could address the matter at a press conference.

Giroud has since clarified his comments, but RMC Sport claims that the manager rejected Mbappe’s request. The Paris Saint-Germain hitman has reportedly rejected his colleague’s apology.