Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has dropped a huge hint that he could stay put at the Emirates beyond the summer.
The France international has attracted interest from the likes of West Ham United and Everton in the transfer window following a frustrating season last term where he managed just 11 starts in the top-flight.
Speaking to SFR Sport, the 30-year-old insisted that he is still under contract with the Gunners while hinting that he could remain for another two years, he said:
“I feel good. I’m an Arsenal player, I have two years on my contract at least. I am really focused on the team, on what I have to do when the manager calls on me.”
Giroud came on as a second-half substitute for Alexandre Lacazette in the FA Community Shield on Sunday, and he converted the final penalty which gave the Gunners a 4-1 shootout win over Chelsea after the scores were level at 1-1.
With Danny Welbeck looking fit again, Giroud may have to contend with a regular spot on the substitutes’ bench next term, but the Frenchman is nevertheless willing to stay put as he still has the backing of manager Arsene Wenger.
Initially, it was predicted that Alexis Sanchez could be packing his bags from the north London club, but Wenger’s reluctance to sell has, in turn, generated speculated interest in Giroud’s services.
Both Everton and West Ham United are still keeping tabs on the France international, but it appears that his latest statement could ward off any interest in his services for the current transfer window.
The £100,000-a-week star is widely expected to take up a similar role from the bench on Friday night when Arsenal entertain Leicester City in the Premier League opener.
