Marseille increasingly confident they will sign Olivier Giroud from Arsenal

James Ducker 6 July 2017 • 6:20pm

Marseille believe they are in pole position to sign France striker Olivier Giroud from Arsenal.

Everton, West Ham and Lyon have also been heavily linked with Giroud but Marseille are increasingly confident of getting a deal worth around €28 million (£24.7m), plus add-ons, over the line.

Giroud’s future at the Emirates has been plunged into fresh doubt following Arsenal’s club-record £52.6m purchase of Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon this week.

The Frenchman, 30, signed a new contract with Arsenal in January but he expressed his frustration last season at a lack of regular starting opportunities and his prospects of playing more have been further undermined by the arrival of Lacazette.

Giroud spoke only this week about his commitment to Arsenal but he has come to recognise that his interests are likely to be best served by a move.

Everton have been monitoring Giroud as a potential replacement for Romelu Lukaku, who is close to joining Manchester United, and West Ham and Lyon have been other interested parties, but Marseille are optimistic about winning the race.

Giroud admitted last month that a move to Marseille was an option. “I am not insensitive to the approaches of the French clubs and especially that of a mythical club like Marseille,” he told Telefoot.