Chelsea eye late January deal that could stop Olivier Giroud joining Tottenham
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard could stop Olivier Giroud from joining Tottenham before the January transfer window deadline, as he wants to use the striker in a swap deal for Napoli forward Dries Mertens.
Chelsea: Giroud demands 'more important role' next season
Chelsea are planning to ruin Tottenham’s plan to sign Olivier Giroud before the transfer deadline on Friday. Frank Lampard would rather include the Frenchman in a deal for Napoli star Dries Mertens.
Chelsea transfer news: Tottenham's move for Giroud could be stopped because of Napoli's Mertens (Image: GETTY Images)
Lampard has entered into talks with Napoli over Mertens, as the Blues aim to improve the depth of their squad.
The Chelsea boss wants to add more experience to his current crop of youngsters.
Napoli would also be open to letting Mertens leave the club this month.
His contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and the Italian club would rather sell him now to make sure he doesn’t leave on a free transfer.
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£5million for Mertens, while Chelsea are also trying to offload Giroud.
Giroud has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge over recent years.
He’s found himself as third-choice striker under Lampard, behind Tammy Abraham and Michy Batshuayi.
The striker is interested in a switch to Tottenham this month, as he’s almost certain to get playing time up until the end of the season.
Chelsea transfer news: Mertens could be on the move to the Premier League (Image: GETTY Images)
Meanwhile, Mertens would be interested in a move to the Premier League, his agent has claimed.
“If I think about a good opportunity in the market, it would be Mertens from Napoli,” said Mertens’ agent, Federico Pastorello. “He is out of contract [in the summer].
“He is an amazing player. I think he will be soon the best scorer in the history of the club.
“Every player really wants to play in the Premier League at least once. So I think he would be very happy to play in the Premier League.
“I know him very well tactically and technically and I think he can be a successful player for the Premier League.”