Olivier Giroud’s next club? Steven Gerrard rules out Rangers transfer move
Steven Gerrard has dismissed reports from France linking Rangers with a move for Chelsea striker Oliver Giroud.
French publication L’Equipe had linked the Scottish giants with a move for the out-of-favour forward but Gerrard has denied any knowledge of such a move.
Will Giroud leave Chelsea next month? Five things to know…
- Oliver Giroud is unhappy with a lack of game time (just seven appearances) at Chelsea this season.
- French outlet L’Equipe linked Giroud, whose contract is up next summer, with a move to Rangers.
- Steven Gerrard has denied Rangers are interested in signing the striker.
- Olivier Giroud, to Sign For Before 1st February 2020 odds*: Inter (4/7), Palace (6/1), Dortmund (7/1)
- Read more about what to expect from Chelsea in the January transfer window here.
*Odds provided by William Hill. You have to be over 18 to gamble. For more information go to GambleAware.org
Giroud is likely to leave Chelsea this January after rarely featuring in Frank Lampard’s side this season. The 33-year-old has made just two starts in the Premier League for the Blues during the first half of the campaign with just three more coming off the bench. Giroud confirmed last week that talks have been scheduled with Lampard while admitting it will be “difficult” for him to stay at Chelsea next month.
Rangers were reported to be interested in bringing the World Cup winner to Ibrox, but Gerrard said he knows nothing about any such potential move.
“We are getting linked with some good players. I don’t know anything about it, to be honest,” he told a press conference.
“If someone knows something about it, give them my number. That’s the first I’ve heard of it.
“He’s a good player, though.”
Inter Milan are the bookmakers’ favourites to sign Giroud in January, though he would have a similar problem at the San Siro playing back-up to Romelu Lukaku, who has 12 goals in Serie A this season, and Lautaro Martinez, who has eight.
Joining Crystal Palace, nestled in ninth place in the Premier League table, would allow the former Arsenal striker to stay in London. Their top-scorer so far this term is Jordan Ayew, who has just four goals, and they may need to replace Wilfried Zaha at some point in the winter transfer window should an interested club meet their valuation. Giroud could replace some of Zaha’s goalscoring output, if little else.
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Rangers, meanwhile, have been excellent this season in the Scottish Premiership, going toe-to-toe with current champions Celtic in the first 18 games of the campaign.
Gerrard’s side trail the Bhoys by just five points but have a game in hand over their city rivals. The form of the Ibrox club has offered a compelling story to Scottish football this season, making the title race appear as though it could be the closest it has been for some time.
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Alfredo Morelos leads the division’s scoring charts with Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard who both have 12 strikes. They are closely followed by former England frontman Jermain Defoe who has 11 goals.
The addition of Giroud would be a shock given his likely wage demands meaning Gers are likely to be looking elsewhere for new additions in the winter window.
Meanwhile, midfielder Greg Docherty has rejected a move to Peterborough with Championship clubs interested in signing the former Shrewsbury Town loanee.
