It’s official. Everton won’t be getting to sign Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud this summer, as Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed that the French international striker has decided to stay.
Giroud has been a subject of a potential £20million summer switch to Goodison Park since the transfer window opened, as Alexandre Lacazette’s arrival did cast huge doubts over the 30-year-old’s Arsenal future.
However, such a move will no longer be happening following Wenger’s revelation in the post-match conference after their 4-3 thrilling victory over Leicester City on Friday.
According to the French manager: “It’s impossible to keep all the strikers happy when they don’t play, but we have many games and hopefully I can give them all a good number of games.
“I love the man and the player [Giroud] and he doesn’t want to leave and I’m happy that he wants to stay.
“I opened the door for him, because I knew we had many strikers, but he’s really loved here and he decided to stay.”
Everton manager Ronald Koeman has reiterated his want for another striker despite the arrivals of Sandro Ramirez and Wayne Rooney, and a handful has been linked with the club thus far.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is 3rd-choice number 9 behind the aforementioned duo, while Kevin Mirallas can also play as a makeshift in the position.
There isn’t shortage of striking options in the squad, and even if the manager isn’t able to get hands on another one, Everton can still challenge for a top 6 finish.
However, getting a finisher in the mould of the departed Romelu Lukaku will without a doubt further boost their chances.
