AC Milan have reportedly set a deadline over the potential signing of Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud this summer.
Despite the Frenchman having penned a new deal at Stamford Bridge, he continues to be linked with a move away - and Stefano Pioli’s men thought to be the most prominent suitors for the forward.
The Serie A giants have been linked for some time with Giroud looking increasingly likely to depart after three-and-a-half productive seasons in west London.
Despite that, Milan have made it clear to both Chelsea and the French forward that they are not prepared to wait for much longer to secure his signature.
According to Corriere dello Sport, the Italians are pushing to get a deal completed by the end of this week to allow Giroud to participate in pre-season training.
It is further reported that the 34-year-old has been encouraged to negotiate with Chelsea on the prospect of releasing him from his contract so Milan avoid having to pay a transfer fee.
Should a deal be completed relatively quickly, this could allow the Blues to think about bolstering their own forward line ahead of next season.
If Giroud departs it would leave just Timo Werner and Tammy Abraham as viable options to lead the line, although the latter has too been linked with a move away. Aston Villa are said to be interested in re-signing the English forward.
Thomas Tuchel would certainly then look to bring in an alternative, with Chelsea continuing to be linked with Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland.
It has been reported that the Norwegian ‘expects’ to arrive at Stamford Bridge before the start of the 2021/22 season, whilst journalist Ian McGarry has suggested that personal terms have already been agreed.
