Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has confirmed that Tottenham Hotspur were interested in signing him during the January transfer window.
The Frenchman looked set to leave Stamford Bridge in search of more regular first-team football earlier this summer, with Chelsea prepared to sanction an exit if they were able to bring in a replacement.
However, Giroud was ultimately forced to stay with the Blues despite being eager to leave, and he revealed that Inter Milan was his preferred destination after speaking with their manager Antonio Conte.
"In January, I saw myself far away from Chelsea. I saw six complicated months ahead of me. That's why I had the desire to change scenery. I tried to leave in January. It was all done, but in the end Chelsea didn't want to let me go," Giroud told Telefoot.
"Everyone knows that Inter's sporting project was the most interesting for me. Them aside, Lazio and Tottenham also looked at me. At one point, it was a question of where I wanted to play. I talked to Conte on the phone, he's known me from when he took me to Chelsea: that was an advantage for me.
"In addition, Inter play in the Champions League. They're a great club. Lazio, for their part, tried absolutely everything, even coming to London to try something, but the deal was blocked. I also talked on the phone to Lyon's president, who expressed an interest in me, but I told him that my priority was going to Inter."
Giroud has since been given more first-team chances at Chelsea, scoring two goals in six appearances since the start of February.
Barney Corkhill
