Olivier Giroud looks set to join Chelsea (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea are closing in on a deal to sign Arsenal star Olivier Giroud with a move said to be ‘very close’, according to reports.

Arsenal have agreed a fee to sign Dortmund ace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Giroud – who is already unhappy with his lack of playing time – is set to tumble further down the pecking order.

The Frenchman wants regular first-team football to force his way into France’s World Cup squad and he’s keen on a move to Chelsea, who first approached Arsenal over a deal at the end of last week.

The Gunners would prefer to sell Giroud abroad but allowing the Frenchman to join Chelsea would set off a chain of events that would allow Aubameyang to join the Gunners given Dortmund want Michy Batshuayi.

Giroud is unhappy with his playing time at Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Roma ace Emerson Palmieri but a move for team-mate Edin Dzeko is all but over after the Blues failed to give into his wage demands.

That has refocused Chelsea’s efforts on signing Giroud and a deal for the striker is said to be ‘very close’, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.

Giroud joined Arsenal in 2012 for £12m as a replacement for Manchester United-bound Robin van Persie.

Despite persistent criticism, Giroud’s scored 105 goals in 252 appearances for the Gunners.

It’s unclear whether Giroud’s move to Stamford Bridge is on loan or on a permanent transfer.

MORE : Chelsea agree £25m deal for Roma ace Emerson Palmieri but Edin Dzeko is set to stay in Italy