Everton & Turkish giants suffer transfer blow as Arsenal star reported to be ‘determined to stay’
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has been linked with a summer exit following the arrival of Alexandre Lacazette.
Despite being pushed down the pecking order Giroud is expected to stay on according to head coach Arsene Wenger.
The Arsenal boss revealed that Giroud extended his contract last year and that he remains determined to remain at the club.
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“We extended his (Giroud’s) contract last year,” said Wenger, shortly after arriving in Sydney for the club’s preseason tour.
“Our resolution is clear. He’s been great value to the squad and I think he is a great lover of the club. He’s always been very determined to stay.
“It’s always the same problem – when you have one striker people ask ‘why don’t buy another?’ and when you have two or three they say they will be unhappy because there is too much competition. That’s part of the job.
“We are in a job where we are very lucky to do what we love but it is competitive job and that means the players have to accept competition and my decisions as well, unfortunately.”
Giroud was included in the Arsenal squad that travelled to Australia for the pre-season tour.
Meanwhile Lucas Perez was left out of the side suggesting that he is on his way out.
News that Giroud is still part of Wenger’s plans next season will come as a blow to Everton and Besiktas who were keen on the striker.
Wayne Rooney done. Everton now focusing on Olivier Giroud. They believe they have 50% chance of signing the Arsenal striker
— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) July 9, 2017
A source close to Besiktas meanwhile revealed to Turkish-Football that the club were monitoring Giroud’s situation closely.
The Black Eagles were prepared to offer the Gunners a loan deal for the French international if Wenger decided he was surplus to requirements.
Besiktas have prioritised signing an additional striker this window and have also been linked with an approach for Chelsea forward Diego Costa.