According to reports, Olivier Giroud’s agent is set to hold talks with Arsenal over his client’s future at the Emirates Stadium.
The report is according to the Daily Mirror which says the Frenchman’s agent Michael Manuello will arrive in London this week for crunch negotiations over the France international’s status at the club.
Giroud is reported to be interested in plying his trade elsewhere on loan until the end of the season as he fears being left out of France’s World Cup team due to his lack of playing time at Arsenal.
He has only started one Premier League game for Arsenal this season after falling down the pecking order behind the likes of Alexis Sanchez and compatriot Alexandre Lacazette under Arsene Wenger.
West Ham United and Crystal Palace are among the reported sides who are interested in signing Giroud in January, with the former Montpellier star keen to stay in London as his family is settled in the capital.
However, the striker suffered a hamstring injury during the Gunners’ 1-0 win over the Hammers last week, potentially rulling him out until February and denting his chances of securing a January transfer.
Wenger ruled out the possibility of him leaving the club earlier this month, saying Giroud remained central to his plans.
“He is important – why should we lose an important player? It is up to us [and not Giroud],” Wenger was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.
“He will start more games. I believe as well it’s always the same when you have many good players, some of them cannot play.
“The question you get is always why does the guy who is good not play? Because if you take him on you have another guy who is good who will not play, it is as simple as that.”
France assistant coach Guy Stephan according reports has warned Giroud that he could miss out of the World Cup squad if he does not play regularly for his club in the second half of the season.
Giroud came close to leaving Arsenal for Everton in a £40m ($53m) deal last summer.