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What’s the story?
Chelsea have agreed a deal with Arsenal to sign Olivier Giroud according to Di Marzio. The Italian journalist claims that the two clubs have agreed a fee of £15 million plus bonuses.
Di Marzio claims that Chelsea went in for the French striker after they failed rope in Edin Dzeko. The AS Roma striker was their #1 choice but the move collapsed after they failed to agree personal terms with him.
In case you didn’t know…
BBC Sport's David Ornstein reported last night that Arsenal had agreed a deal with Borussia Dortmund for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The fee reported is said to be around £60 million but the transfer would only be complete if BVB find a replacement in time.
The detailed tweet by Ornstein had 4 transfer stories in it. The BBC journalist claims that BVB want Michy Batshuayi to replace Aubamenyang but Chelsea are not willing to let him go without signing a replacement.
Chelsea baulked at Arsenal's asking price at first and turned their attention to Fernando Llorente and considered swapping him and Batshuayi. The move was straightaway rejected by the Belgian striker as he knows he will be a backup to Harry Kane.
Daily Star then added another twist to the story by claiming that Chelsea offered David Luiz to Arsenal in a swap deal for Olivier Giroud. However, Di Marzio's report altogether makes it clear that the merry-go-round of the strikers is set to take place soon.
Rumour probability: 8/10
It's pretty obvious that Arsenal will have to let Giroud join Chelsea if they want to sign Aubameyang. Dortmund won't let him leave without getting Batshuayi and Chelsea won't let the Belgian leave without getting a replacement.
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Author’s Take
Getting Giroud for just £15 million will be a brilliant piece of business by Chelsea. Arsenal were asking for a sum in the ballpark of £30 million but the Frenchman's determination to leave and the Gunner's desperation to land Aubameyang has changed things and it has all worked out in Chelsea's favour.
