Lyon ‘make contact with Chelsea star Giroud’ over transfer to replace Man Utd target Moussa Dembele
LYON are reported to have made contact with Chelsea star Olivier Giroud over a potential January transfer to Manchester United target Moussa Dembele.
Giroud, 33, has made only six appearances this season under new manager Frank Lampard, starting just twice.
He is thought to be considering a move away from Stamford Bridge in order to ensure he retains his place in France's squad for Euro 2020.
The former Arsenal striker has remained a key part of the French side, despite a lack of domestic action, starting 64 of his 95 appearances for Les Bleus as well as bagging an impressive 38 goals in his international career.
According to , Lyon are willing to listen to club-record offers for star striker Dembele in the January transfer window and are lining up Giroud as a potential replacement for the 23-year-old.
The highest transfer fee Lyon have received was the £65million Tottenham paid for Tanguy Ndombele in the summer and it appears Man Utd and other interest parties will need to exceed this if they are to sign Dembele.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is thought to be keeping tabs on Dembele as United look to strengthen their attacking options having mustered only 13 goals in their ten Premier League matches this campaign.
Dembele has scored 26 times in 56 games for Lyon after joining from from Celtic for £20m in August 2018.
World Cup winner Giroud's contract is up at the end of the season and Lyon are thought to have already made contact with the Blues.
Despite having limited opportunities in the Prem, Giroud showed his ability to find the net in the Europa League last season.
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He scored 11 goals in 14 appearances, including the opening goal against former club Arsenal in the Final, as Chelsea lifted the trophy with a 4-1 win in Baku.
A return to France with Lyon could give Giroud more playing time and a better chance of being selected for the Euros.
He is now behind strikers Tammy Abraham and Michy Batshuayi in the pecking order.
