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Football transfer news and rumours: 'Chelsea turn to Olivier Giroud as alternative to Edin Dzeko'
Olivier Giroud appears to have become the latest target of Chelsea's search for an above-average sized target-man striker.
Chelsea have already made inquiries about the availability of Peter Crouch as they cast their net ever wider to find a back-up to the unreliable goalscoring of Alvaro Morata and his current understudy Michy Batshuayi over this transfer window.
According to the Mirror, Antonio Conte has identified Olivier Giroud as the answer to Chelsea's goalscoring problems with fears that a proposed deal for Roma's Edin Dzeko could fall through.
Giroud was rumoured to be part of any Arsenal deal to bring Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the Emirates.
But with talks in Germany stalling over Aubameyang's fee, Chelsea have been alerted to the French striker's potential availability.
The Chelsea hierarchy are understood to be unhappy with recent comments from Conte that suggested he was playing little part in the club's transfer activity.
“I think the club decide our transfer market. As I said before, my task is to try to improve the transfer market, from the summer, the club decides every player,” Conte said in the wake of Chelsea's League Cup exit at the hands of Arsenal.
Don Balon suggest Real Madrid are willing to use Gareth Bale as makeweight in order to bring Harry Kane to the Bernabeu.
Bale has been one of Real Madrid's few bright sparks in a disappointing season so far however, according to reports, the Spanish club are willing to do anything in their power to lure Kane to La Liga.
Speculation has been growing that this could be Cristiano Ronaldo's last season at the Bernabeu and Kane is viewed as an ideal replacement for the Portuguese striker.
Italian journalist and self-styled transfer insider Gianluca Di Marzio suggests Spurs and Liverpool have both had approaches for Javier Pastore knocked back by PSG.
The Argentinian playmaker has fallen down the pecking order at the Parc des Princes with the arrival of Neymar but is understood to be intent on a move to Serie A where he formerly played for Palermo.
Inter Milan have supposedly registered an interest in taking the 28-year-old on loan but PSG will only accept a permanent move.
Jose Mourinho has ruled out any more Manchester United signings this month, ruling out a January move for Nice midfielder Jean Michael Seri.
Manchester City and Manchester United have both been linked with a move for the Ivory Coast international, but Mourinho was quick to shut down any talk of an offer.
"Tuanzebe goes on loan, nobody is leaving, nobody is coming. Our transfer market in the summer will be short," said Mourinho.
In other news...
Philippe Coutinho made his Barcelona debut following his £142m move from Liverpool earlier this month.
The Brazilian replacement Andres Iniesta in the 68th minute of Barcelona's 2-0 Copa de Rey quarter-final victory over Espanyol.
The 25-year-old very nearly provided an assist but Luis Suarez's shot was well saved by Espanyol goalkeeper Pau Lopez.