Chelsea and Inter in ‘active discussions’ over transfer to reunite Giroud with Conte in Serie A

REPORTS in France suggest Olivier Giroud is nearing an exit from Chelsea with Inter Milan keen on the striker.

Firmly behind Tammy Abraham in the Blues’ pecking order, Giroud hasn’t scored since the season opening UEFA Super Cup and failed to impress when starting the recent loss to West Ham.

In fact, Giroud wasn’t even in the squad for Saturday’s game at Everton as Michy Batshuayi was selected as boss Frank Lampard’s first reserve.

And L’Equipe, via GFFN, now state that Chelsea are in talks with Inter over a January deal for the Frenchman.

Giroud has impressively managed to keep his place in the national side during his inconsistent spell at Stamford Bridge but that is under threat ahead of Euro 2020.

It was Inter coach Antonio Conte who brought the forward to Stamford Bridge in January 2018.

But he struggled to pin down a place in the starting XI under the Italian and even in Milan would have to compete with the in-form pairing of Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez.

Playing time may be more frequent if Giroud accepts a move to one of the mid-table Premier League sides alluded to in the report.

Yet such a step down is not said to be on his mind with the Nerazzurri fighting a European campaign that will continue in either the Champions League or Europa League in 2020.

Furthermore, Inter nudged two points clear of rivals Juventus in the Serie A title race after the holders lost 3-1 to Lazio on Sunday.

Conte has been somewhat outspoken despite his early success with Inter in criticising the board for not building a squad capable of competing on two fronts.

After November’s defeat away to Borussia Dortmund, he complained: “We should have planned this season out much, much better.”

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