Barcelona Considering Shock Olivier Giroud Swoop as Inter Reignite Interest (Again)

Barcelona are considering a shock move for Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud, though they will face competition from Inter, who have reignited their interest in the Frenchman.

Giroud has been a peripheral figure at Stamford Bridge this season, making just five Premier League appearances and failing to score a single goal.

Last campaign he top scored in the Europa League as the Blues went on to win the competition, but he has found himself struggling for playing time of late due to the fine form of Tammy Abraham.

The former Arsenal man's long-awaited move to Inter appeared to be off earlier this week with Antonio Conte understood to be focusing on the loan signing of Napoli's Fernando Llorente.

However, Gianluca Di Marzio report that due to an injury to Dries Mertens, Gennaro Gattuso is keen to keep Llorente at the club, meaning that Giroud has now re-emerged as the Nerazzurri's top target.

The Serie A side could face competition for his signature, though, with the Independent claiming that Barcelona are also eyeing up the striker. Luis Suarez's knee injury - which could keep the Uruguayan out for the rest of the season - means that new Barca boss Quique Setien is keen on strengthening his side offensively and views the 33-year-old as the perfect short term stopgap.

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard offered a fresh update on Giroud's situation in his latest pre-match press conference, held before the Blues' FA Cup meeting with Hull City on Saturday.

He said, as quoted by football.london: "With Olivier [Giroud] it's still the same position where there's been contact with other clubs and if and when that's agreed I'll let you know, but it's not yet."

Barça did sound out the possibility of signing Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on loan, though unsurprisingly the Gunners are reluctant to depart with their top scorer. Another player linked with a move to Camp Nou is Valencia frontman Rodrigo, but Los Ches' €50m asking price is steep to say the least..

The club are far more attracted to the prospect of signing RB Leipzig hot shot Timo Werner, but conflicting information over a potential release clause make that move difficult to foresee.

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Source : 90min