Four months after asking to leave Chelsea so he could prolong his international career, Olivier Giroud is set to have his contract extended by a year by the club.
Chelsea have decided to exercise an option to keep the 33-year-old under contract until the summer of 2021 amid interest from a number of clubs, including Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan.
Giroud could still end up leaving in the next transfer window should a lucrative offer be made but by extending his deal the Blues are protecting themselves from losing the French World Cup winner for free.
Having spent the first half of the campaign out of favour, the former Arsenal striker did well in place of the injured Tammy Abraham before football was forced on hiatus by the coronavirus pandemic.
Frank Lampard has consistently praised Giroud’s professionalism and the player spoke last month about how he would be open to staying at Stamford Bridge.
He had hoped to negotiate a longer deal but the club maintain their policy of offering only one-year extension to players over 30.
Among the other players out of contract in June, talks with Willian and Pedro have not progressed any further. Marco van Ginkel is unlikely to be offered a new contract and Willy Caballero’s future is unclear.
Speculation linking Willian with a move to Liverpool is said to be without foundation and Jurgen Klopp is not interested in the Brazilian.
However, there is a growing belief that Willian could leave Chelsea despite Lampard’s regular praise for the winger who has asked for a new three-year deal.
