AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud reportedly turned down advances from numerous clubs - including Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur - to sign for the Rossoneri last summer.
The 35-year-old departed Chelsea at the end of the 2020-21 season after three-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge and has banked 11 goals in 27 matches for Milan during his debut season.
Giroud was reported to have been hot property on the market before penning a two-year contract with Stefano Pioli's side, and intermediary Vincenzo Morabito has claimed that the ex-Arsenal man had approaches from two of the Premier League's Big Six in 2021.
"He had chosen to join Milan since February, but Chelsea broke the promise to sell him without a transfer fee. [Paolo] Maldini wanted him and was really determined to sign him and Oliver accepted to cut his salary to sign for Milan," Morabito told the press, as quoted by sempremilan.
"Inter had practically signed him two years ago. He was also one step away from Lazio and Juventus. Serie A was in his destiny and the marriage to Milan was perfect. He can be the Scudetto man.
"He rejected many bids to sign for Milan last summer. Manchester City, Tottenham, West Ham and New York City wanted Olivier, but had chosen to join Milan. Now he dreams to win Scudetto.
"In the summer Giroud strongly wanted the No.9 shirt at Milan. Maldini was unsure because it had gone badly [for others], but Olivier broke the curse with personality. Giroud wants to stay in the Rossoneri for a long time and end his career at Milan."
Eight of Giroud's 11 goals for Milan have come in Serie A, and the France international previously made the net ripple 90 times in 255 Premier League games during his spells with Arsenal and Chelsea.
Ben Knapton
