Current Chelsea, and former Arsenal, striker was so keen on leaving Stamford Bridge earlier this year that he came close to joining long-time rivals Tottenham, the Frenchman has revealed.
The 33-year-old has had a mixed time of it since joining the Blues from the Gunners in 2018, regularly being in-and-out of the team and the first half of last season saw the forward right out of contention.
With Tammy Abraham starting regularly, Giroud was hardly getting a look-in and he was desperate to leave in January as he looked for first team football.
The World Cup winner was not short of options and even considered a switch to Spurs, despite the heated rivalry between Chelsea and Arsenal and the white half of north London.
‘During the last three days of the transfer window, I was in the coach’s office to find a solution. I was hoping Chelsea would find a replacement for me,’ he told So Foot, via Goal.
‘For my part, it was not the solutions that were lacking: I almost signed for Lazio, Inter. I was even so determined to leave that I even almost signed for Tottenham!’
‘I had proposals from Middlesbrough and Celtic [in 2010],’ he said. ‘But my agents advised me to leave an imprint in France first.’
Giroud finds himself out of the team under Blues boss Frank Lampard again this season since the arrival of Timo Werner, who looks set to be first choice up front.
The imposing forward has been linked with an exit again, with Serie A champion Juventus touted, but he has dismissed that speculation.
‘Italians, they get carried away quickly,’ Giroud told Telefoot when asked about the speculation. ‘I was surprised to receive messages from friends this morning telling me about this rumour.
‘That’s far from being the case. I am a Chelsea player and I feel good here.
‘I didn’t have the great end of the season that I did to leave like this, and not believe in my chances. I will fight for my place.
‘But it’s always good to get the attention of these kinds of clubs, it’s flattering. But I remain focused on Chelsea.
‘We will see what will happen in the coming weeks. But there is nothing signed or done. I prefer to deny it.’
