Good news as Arsenal striker rejects transfer; wants to honour contract

According to the coach of Ligue 1 club Marseille Rudi Garcia, France international striker Olivier Giroud does not want to join French Ligue 1 side Marseille.

Since the Frenchman joined Arsenal back in 2012, he has had his critics but Giroud’s goal record – 98 in 228 matches – is a respectable figure.

However, Giroud faces a new battle for his place following the signing of Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon in a club transfer record deal.

The 30-year-old also faces stiff competition from Chilean Alexis Sanchez and English striker Danny Welbeck and with the FIFA World Cup coming up next summer, is understood not to want to play second fiddle.

This has led to transfer interest from suitors like Everton and West Ham, but Olympic Marseille look unlikely to sign him.

Marseille have a long-standing interest in the Arsenal striker, but Rudi Garcia admits the forward doesn’t want to play for the club.

Olivier Giroud signed a new two-and-a-half year contract back in January taking him to the summer of 2020.

And speaking after the Gunner’s FA Community Shield victory over Premier League Champions Chelsea, he reiterated his intention to honour his contract at the North London club.

“I (Giroud) am an Arsenal player,” he told French news outlet SFR Sport. I (Giroud) have a contract of two years (seasons) still.”