Arsenal legend Ray Parlour feels Chelsea should throw their name in the hat to sign Gunners striker Olivier Giroud this month.
The France international has witnessed limited playing time in the Premier League this campaign, making 14 of his 15 appearances off the bench.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Parlour, who was part of the Gunners’ ‘invincibles’ squad, believes Giroud would be an ideal fit for the Premier League holders, who are eyeing a target man in their ranks.
He said: “It’s staring Chelsea straight in the eye. They were looking at Carroll, now they are talking about Crouch – Giroud is the answer.
If they are looking for someone who is big and strong and can come on and change a game I don’t see anybody better. Giroud is very underrated.”
Arsenal are already on the course to lose Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United this month, and cashing in on another forward with a direct rival is unlikely to be in the plans of the Gunners’ hierarchy.
Giroud presently has more than two years left on his existing deal, but his exit looks likely between now and end of the season, though he has already been touted to join Borussia Dortmund in a part-exchange deal for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The former Montpellier graduate has largely been underrated during his time at the Emirates, and he has an impressive tally of over 100 goals in the space of just over five seasons with the north London side.
Of late, Giroud has been termed as a ‘super sub’ in the club’s ranks, but this could yet affect his chances of starting for Les Bleus at the World Cup finals, with Alexandre Lacazette, presently out of form and Kylian Mbappe vying for positions.
Giroud is still making his recovery from a hamstring problem, and he looks set to miss the Crystal Palace game this afternoon as well as the League Cup semi-final second-leg versus Chelsea scheduled in midweek.
