Giroud’s agent travels to London to finalise striker’s Chelsea transfer

Olivier Giroud’s agent has arrived in London to finalise the Arsenal striker’s transfer to Chelsea.

The Premier League champions are in the market to sign a new forward to provide competition for Alvaro Morata and have targeted various players throughout January including Roma’s Edin Dzeko and West Ham‘s Andy Carroll.

But Arsenal and Chelsea have now agreed an £18 million fee for Giroud and the France international is now expected to complete a move to Stamford Bridge before Wednesday’s deadline at 11pm.

According to the Daily Mail, Giroud’s representative Michael Manuello travelled to London on Wednesday to put the finishing touches on the deal.

Arsenal are allowing Giroud to leave as they are on the brink of announcing the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund.

The Bundesliga club had demanded Giroud as part of the deal but the 31-year-old is keen to remain in London.

Dortmund have since targeted a move for Michy Batshuayi and are expected to sign the Chelsea striker on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

Giroud, meanwhile, played what is likely to be his final game for Arsenal on Tuesday evening as Arsene Wenger’s side fell to a 3-1 defeat to Swansea.