Marseille revive interest in Olivier Giroud

Marseille have reportedly “explored” the possibility of signing Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud after missing out on Mario Balotelli.

The French outfit are long-term admirers of Chelsea forward Olivier Giroud, who refused to join the Stade Veledrome outfit in January.

Six months later, after arriving in the London club as part of a £18m deal, however, The Mirror claims that the France international could be on his way out as Marseille are prepared to pay £13m for his signature.

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri is understood to be open to the prospect of offloading the 31-year-old World Cup winner, with a move for Juventus’s Gonzalo Higuain potentially on the cards.

Giroud is also likely to be tempted by a return to his home country after the World Cup success, and the Ligue 1 side are prepared to offer him a £5m-a-year contract before the transfer window shuts down next month.