Borussia Dortmund are looking to acquire the services of Olivier Giroud as a replacement for their star forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who is set to depart the Bundesliga club in January. A recent report claims that Dortmund is ready to offer Giroud first-team football which the striker is desperate for, ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup next year. BVB is now expected to make an offer for the French striker when the transfer window commences next month.
Aubameyang boasts an impressive goal-scoring record in the Bundesliga and has gone on to score 20 goals in 21 appearances for Borussia Dortmund in this campaign. The Gabonese forward has also notched up with two assists for the club so far. However, he is now ready to depart the Bundesliga following a series of controversial incidents after the club rejected to sanction a move for him in the summer.
There have also been a few issues with regards to his conduct which has led to Dortmund to suspending him for arriving late in training earlier in the season. He was also sent off against Schalke 04 which cost his team a four-goal lead and resulted in them dropping two points in the process.
Giroud, on the other hand, has scored 7 goals in 22 league appearances but most of his playing time has come from the bench. The Frenchman turned out to be Arsenal’s saviour once again in their last match away at Southampton when he came off from the bench to score the equaliser.
Olivier Giroud has the track record to be a big hit at Dortmund but it remains to be seen whether Arsene Wenger allows him to leave the Emirates next month. The French forward wants to play regularly which the Gunners are failing to provide that has sparked comments from France’s assistant coach, Guy Stephan about Giroud’s lack of game-time this season.
In a recent interview, Wenger has rejected his claims and has pointed out that his French forward has got more minutes under his belt than his first-choice striker, Alexandre Lacazette due to Giroud being involved in all four competitions.
Wenger said, “I can give you the example that Giroud has played more minutes than Lacazette. So, his statement was not absolutely right. Why did he say that? At least it is not backed by the numbers. He wants to say maybe that he should play more in the Premier League. There he has a case, but competition is competition.”
It remains to be seen whether Wenger allows Giroud to leave the club with Borussia Dortmund firmly interested in the player’s services.
