Transfer Centre

Lyon rule out Olivier Giroud pursuit

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 26 June 2017

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas says that his club 'do not want to stockpile forwards' when questioned on reported interest in Arsenal's Olivier Giroud.

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has insisted that his club 'do not want to stockpile forwards' when questioned on reported interest in Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud.

On Monday night, Lyon completed the signing of Burkina Faso attacker Bertrand Traore from Chelsea, with the 21-year-old penning a five-year contract with the French giants.

Aulas, at Traore's official unveiling, was questioned on a possible move for Giroud in this summer's transfer window, and the Lyon president ruled his club out of the running.

"We don't want to stockpile forwards," Aulas told reporters when questioned on Giroud. "Arsenal want to keep him."

Giroud, 30, only started 11 Premier League matches for Arsenal during the 2016-17 campaign, but he still managed 12 goals in England's top flight and 16 in all competitions for the season.

West Ham United have been strongly linked with a move for Giroud over the last couple of weeks, with the Hammers reportedly prepared to break the bank in order to sign the France international.