Italian agent Vincenzo Morabito has claimed that Olivier Giroud turned down the chance to join Tottenham last summer in favour of a move to AC Milan.
Giroud left Chelsea to join Milan last summer and the centre-forward is having an impressive campaign at the San Siro, having found the back of the net 11 times in all competitions so far (Transfermarkt).
Tottenham were linked with a move for Giroud in January of 2020 after Harry Kane picked up a hamstring injury (Daily Mail) and the Frenchman was once again mooted as a target for the Lilywhites during January of last year (Football Insider).
Morabito has now claimed that Spurs made another attempt to sign the 35-year-old last summer while Manchester City and West Ham also showed interest in the striker.
However, he asserted that Giroud had his heart set on joining the Rossoneri and wishes to finish his career at the Serie A giants.
Morabito told Nicolo Schira (as relayed by SempreMilan): “He (Giroud) had chosen to join Milan since February, but Chelsea broke the promise to sell him without a transfer fee.
“[Paolo] Maldini wanted him and was really determined to sign him and Oliver accepted to cut his salary to sign for Milan.
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“Inter had practically signed him two years ago. He was also one step away from Lazio and Juventus. Serie A was in his destiny and the marriage to Milan was perfect. He can be the Scudetto man.
“He rejected many bids to sign for Milan last summer. Manchester City, Tottenham, West Ham and New York City wanted Olivier but had chosen to join Milan. Now he dreams to win Scudetto.
“In the summer Giroud strongly wanted the No.9 shirt at Milan. Maldini was unsure because it had gone badly [for others], but Olivier broke the curse with personality. Giroud wants to stay in the Rossoneri for a long time and end his career at Milan.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Giroud, in many ways, would have been the ideal backup to Kane and could have been used as a plan B off the bench if we were chasing a game. However, one can understand why he turned down the move to Spurs.
Even putting his Arsenal and Chelsea connections aside, the 35-year-old would have likely wanted regular first-team football, which he would not have got at Tottenham.
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