Report: Chelsea player could still leave this summer despite contract agreement
Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud might still leave this summer despite the one-year contract extension — but the club would be in a very good position regardless of the outcome.
On Friday, the Blues announced that they already exercised the option to extend the 34-year-old striker’s contract for a further year.
It certainly came as a surprise to many since Giroud was expected to leave at the end of the season.
In the club’s official statement, Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia described the striker as “a crucial part of so many big moments” for the club.
Interestingly, she did not mention anything about his being part of the team next season.
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In the statement over Thiago Silva’s contract extension, for example, Granovskaia said the club “hope that he carries on in exactly the same fashion in the coming year”.
According to The Telegraph, Chelsea might still allow Giroud to leave this summer if the club sign a new striker or receive a good offer.
The report also mentioned that AC Milan is one of the several clubs interested in signing the France international.
Chronicle view
The contract extension is certainly a wise financial decision by the board which puts the club in a win-win situation.
If they manage to bring in a new striker in this transfer window, they could offload Giroud and still secure a fee.
On the other hand, Chelsea would still have an experienced backup striker if they fail to sign one of their striker targets.
