Olivier Giroud has said that joining AC Milan "is certainly an option" in response to a transfer plea from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
This is despite the Frenchman's stay at Chelsea being extended by a further 12 months, a decision that was made by the club back in April as revealed by director Marina Granovskaia.
"Olivier has been such a crucial part of so many big moments for this club, from his contribution to our FA Cup victory in 2018 to scoring 11 goals on the way to winning the Europa League in 2019," she told the club's official website on Friday.
"He has continued to score significant goals, and we will never forget his effort against Atletico Madrid on the way to winning the Champions League this season.
"With so much to still to play for, there was only one decision we could make when we exercised the option to extend his contract back in April."
However, there's still a chance that Giroud could leave Chelsea this summer.
By activating the clause in his old deal, the club avoided the risk of losing him for free this summer and could now sell him for a fee that would help raise funds to boost Thomas Tuchel's transfer budget.
Interestingly, a move to AC Milan has been touted in recent weeks and Ibrahimovic has already delivered his verdict on the potential deal.
"The more high-level players we can sign, the better," he told Gazzetta dello Sport prior to the contract announcement. "[Olivier] Giroud has great experience and we don’t have many players who have won trophies.
"If he comes he is welcome. Also because this is a very helpful group, willing to learn and improve, a well-guided group."
Well, Ibrahimovic might just get his wish as just hours after the contract announcement, Giroud hinted at his next move when he does eventually leave Chelsea.
“Ibrahimovic wants me at AC Milan? It’s always a pleasure to hear Zlatan say this kind of things, I’ll take it as an extra motivation," he told RMC Sport, as per SempreMilan.
"My future? I don’t want to talk about it, Milan is certainly an option among other ones."
