JUVENTUS and Inter Milan are set to battle for Olivier Giroud’s signature in January, according to reports.
The Chelsea striker, 34, has grown frustrated by his lack of playing time this season after opting to stay at the club beyond the summer after a strong end to 2019-20.
Giroud also has one eye on next summer’s European Championship – knowing he must be playing regularly to keep his spot in the France squad.
And Inter Milan are looking to rescue the ex-Arsenal star in January, according to Tuttosport.
Antonio Conte brought Giroud to Chelsea in January 2018 before he was sacked in the summer.
The Italian is set to try to bring the Frenchman to Milan – but it’s claimed Giroud would once again be playing second fiddle, this time to red-hot former Blues ace Romelu Lukaku.
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Inter are believed to be keen on a six-month loan deal for Giroud, with a view to a permanent move in the summer.
But they face competition from Juventus, with boss Andrea Pirlo targeting FOUR new players.
Juve are yet to win a game in which Cristiano Ronaldo has been absent this season – most-recently drawing 1-1 with Benevento.
And Pirlo wants to bring in Giroud and Chelsea team-mate Emerson Palmieri to help kickstart a strong second-half of the season, according to Il Bianco Nero.
Juventus are also looking to Sassuolo star Manuel Locatelli and Udinese ace Rodrigo De Paul.
And it’s now almost certain Giroud opts to cut his losses in West London and moves on this winter.
On his lack of game-time at Stamford Bridge, Giroud – who hasn’t started a single game this season – recently admitted: “It’s worrying.
“I thought I still had a role to play at Chelsea but my playing time is getting reduced a lot.
“It’s going to have to change or a decision must be made.”
But Lampard claimed Giroud is an ‘important’ part of his squad and will fight for him to stay.
Lampard said: “I do have plans for Oli, he is very important in our squad.
“He was very important last year, he played a lot of games and made a lot of starts.
“He’ll always want to play more but he’s a huge member of the squad for me.
“I know he will be important for us going forward, so I want Oli to be here and to stay.
“I have a very good relationship with Oli and if ever he felt that it was going to go a different way then I would happily have that conversation with him.
“But I want him to stay here. I’m open both ways if that ever changes but at the moment he is very important for us.”
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