Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has rejected a lucrative offer to swap the Premier League for China according to reports emanating from the media in France.
French news outlet L’Equipe revealed that Chinese Super League club Dalian Yifang wanted to sign the ex-Arsenal striker but the player was not interested.
The French international turned down a move to Dalian Yifang as a result of his desire to stay in Europe.
Dalian Yifang has Arsenal target Yannick-Ferreira Carrasco on their payroll and they were ready to offer Giroud a lucrative €10m after-tax contract on a yearly basis which would be a significant increase on his Chelsea wages.
Olivier Giroud has scored five goals for Chelsea this season in all competitions upon his return from last summer’s FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia.
The 32-year-old played as a lone striker for the French team that emerged as eventual winners at the end of the tournament.
He has a new rival for the lone striker role at Chelsea following the arrival of Gonzalo Higuain from Italian Serie A champions Juventus.
Former rival Alvaro Morata has joined Spanish La Liga giants Atletico Madrid on loan until the end of next season.
Higuain has joined the Blues on a short-term loan until the end of the season with the option to buy him for €36m this summer.
