Marseille 'closing in on Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud'

Ligue 1 outfit Marseille are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Olivier Giroud from Chelsea during the January transfer window.

Giroud has fallen down the pecking order under manager Maurizio Sarri so far this season, making just four Premier League starts as Alvaro Morata has been preferred to lead the line.

The France international's form has also been regularly questioned, having only scored his first goal of the season at the 12th attempt during a Europa League clash with BATE Borisov last weekend.

French outlet Le Foot reports that Marseille are confident of securing a deal for the World Cup winner, having failed with an attempt to bring him to the Stade Velodrome during the summer.

Giroud's contract at Stamford Bridge expires at the end of the season, and any deal could include an initial loan in January until he becomes a free agent in June.

The 32-year-old only joined Chelsea in January and has since scored six goals in 30 appearances across all competitions.

Any move to Marseille would see Giroud return to play club football in his homeland for the first time since 2012, when he left Montpellier for Arsenal.