Transfer Centre

Chelsea to block Olivier Giroud exit unless they sign replacement?

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 31 January 2020

Chelsea to block Giroud exit unless they sign replacement?

Chelsea will reportedly only let wantaway striker Olivier Giroud leave the club on deadline day if they have a replacement lined up.

Chelsea will reportedly only allow Olivier Giroud to leave the club if they are able to bring in a replacement on deadline day.

The 33-year-old is desperate to leave Stamford Bridge in search of more regular first-team football ahead of Euro 2020, having fallen behind Tammy Abraham and Michy Batshuayi in the pecking order under Frank Lampard.

Tottenham Hotspur are thought to be leading the race for the former Arsenal man, and reports have suggested that Chelsea have already agreed a fee with their London rivals.

However, the Daily Mail claims that Lampard will only give the deal the green light if they are able to replace the France international before tonight's 11pm deadline.

Napoli forward Dries Mertens and Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani have both been linked with moves to Chelsea, who are yet to bring in any new faces this month despite seeing their transfer ban lifted.

Giroud, meanwhile, is also understood to have attracted interest from West Ham United, Newcastle United, Inter Milan and Lazio.