Arsenal star Olivier Giroud wanted by Turkish giants Fenerbahce as replacement for Robin Van Persie
Fenerbahce reckon they can use the charm of Istanbul to lure former Everton and West Ham target to Turkey
OLIVIER GIROUD could be on his way to Turkey.
For Fenerbahce look set to offer the Frenchman a way out of Arsenal this month.
Giroud, 31, has scored 105 goals for the Gunners in 252 games in all competitions.
But, for instance, he has been named on the bench for 60 of his 179 Premier League matches.
Everton and West Ham offered him regular first-team football in the summer but he decided to stay put.
Apparently, his wife objected to a move to Merseyside and Giroud obviously didn't fancy the Hammers.
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Arsenal Transfer News
Now, according to Turkish newspaper Fanatik, manager Aykut Kocaman wants to bring in a new striker during the transfer window.
Former Gunner Robin van Persie is reported to be on his way out of the club and Giroud could move in.
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Despite having the likes of Roberto Soldado and Vincent Janssen, the Yellow Canaries still want Giroud.
Fanatik claim that the club will try and use the charm of Istanbul to lure him to Turkey.
They will also use Mathieu Valbuena, who Giroud knows very well from international duty, to convince him to move.
After scoring a late equaliser against Southampton last month, Arsene Wenger said the 31-year-old would not be leaving the Emirates.
He said he would be given more time on the pitch.
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"He is important - why should we lose an important player? It is up to us [and not Giroud]," Wenger said.
"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.
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"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."
It turned out that Giroud's quest for more game time has been hit by a hamstring injury sustained during the Gunners' 1-0 win over the Hammers in the Carabao Cup last month.