OLIVIER GIROUDS hopes of finding a way out of Chelsea next month are fading because no-one wants to pay for him when he will be available for nothing in the summer.
Giroud extended his stay at Stamford Bridge for this season when the club were hit with a transfer ban which meant they were short of attacking options.
But since then Tammy Abraham has set the Premier League alight with his goalscoring form to establish himself as the clear first choice for Frank Lampard.
That has left Giroud, 33, out in the cold having started just twice in the Premier League all season and a long way down the pecking order for a role.
The Frenchman had been hoping to secure a move abroad when the transfer window opens in January, and has been touted to clubs in Italy, France and Spain.
But SunSport understands though there has been interest in him as a player, the fact he would cost around 5million has put clubs off a potential deal.
Instead they prefer to wait until next summer when he would be up for grabs for nothing as a free agent.
Chelsea have been reluctant to sign off on any deal letting the former Arsenal star leave while they are still technically banned from signing anyone next month.
They only have Abraham and Michy Batshuayi as striking options in the first team squad so can ill afford to let him leave.
But the Blues are hopeful of this week winning their appeal against the Fifa punishment which would allow them to go out in the market for players in January.
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That would then open the way for Giroud to leave, but at this stage a loan deal is off the table with the preference for a permanent switch including a fee.
Potential clubs are looking at the sums and wondering if it is worth splashing out when they can get the player for nothing six months later.
It means Giroud is facing an anxious wait to see if he can find a new club who would stump up the money and then offer him the chance of regular first team football he needs to ensure he stays in the French squad for Euro 2020.
