Agent: 'Olivier Giroud could leave Arsenal in January'

The agent of Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud has claimed that his client could leave the Gunners next month.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger recently insisted that the Frenchman, who started his first Premier League game of the season last week, would not be allowed to leave the Emirates Stadium in the January transfer window.

However, Michael Manuello, who represents Giroud, has admitted that the 31-year-old would be open to offers in the winter window as he looks to secure first-team action ahead of next summer's World Cup.

"It can make things complicated," Manuello told Foot Mercato. "But conflict, that kind of thing, is not in Olivier's nature, nor in mine. We always work in harmony. It is normal for Arsene to take this position publicly and we do not have to comment on it.

"Now, depending on the offers which are made, we will sit around a table and talk. The most important thing is to know what is going to be offered or not this winter to find a better game project. Now, again, this project has to present itself.

"It will be outside France if there is [a transfer]. There will be approaches. All clubs looking for an attacker are likely to come. We have to be careful and if there is something obvious, we will try to convince Arsene to reconsider what has been said."

Everton came close to signing Giroud in the summer, but the striker ultimately decided to stay at Arsenal.