Arsenal 'to allow Olivier Giroud to join Chelsea'

Arsenal have reportedly opened the door for Olivier Giroud to join London rivals Chelsea before Wednesday's transfer deadline.

Giroud is eager to leave the Emirates Stadium in search of more regular first-team football ahead of this summer's World Cup, having made only one Premier League start throughout the entire campaign so far.

Any exit for the France international would be reliant on Arsenal bringing in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund, but the Gunners are understood to be closing in on a club-record agreement for the wantaway Gabon striker.

Chelsea are known to be in the market for a targetman this month and are understood to have made Roma's Edin Dzeko their main target, having previously been linked with the unlikely trio of Andy Carroll, Peter Crouch and Ashley Barnes.

The Frenchman remains an option for the Premier League champions, though, and the Daily Mail reports that Arsene Wenger would allow him to join a direct Premier League rival if his £35m asking price is met.

Giroud joined Arsenal in 2012 and has gone on to score 105 goals in 252 appearances for the club.