Arsenal lodge offer for Olivier Giroud

Arsenal have reportedly offered £6.5m plus Marouane Chamakh for Montpellier HSC striker Olivier Giroud.

The 25-year-old helped his side to their first ever Ligue 1 title last season, finishing joint-top scorer alongside Paris Saint-Germain winger Nene with 21 goals.

Interest in the Frenchman is thought to be high, with Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Liverpool also said to be monitoring the situation.

Giroud's impressive form convinced Laurent Blanc to hand him his first international cap, and the striker repaid him by scoring his first goal against Germany in February.

His contract with La Pallaide is reported to contain a £12.8m buyout clause.