Giroud moving to Everton could be ideal for everybody

Olivier Giroud is reportedly a transfer target for Everton this summer

It is an exciting time to be an Evertonian. The club are finally flexing some of their relatively newfound financial muscle in the transfer market.

Spanish striker Sandro Ramirez has now arrived, while Michael Keane is reportedly at the club undergoing a medical.

Those deals followed the captures of highly rated young goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and Dutch midfielder Davy Klaassen earlier this summer.

Another story doing the rounds involving Everton is that the Toffees are set to make a £20million move for Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud. The Daily Mirror claims that the 30-year-old could sign for the Toffees as a possible replacement for Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku, who looks set to leave the club. Giroud moving to Everton could suit everybody involved.

Giroud has fallen out of favour at Arsenal

For a long time, Arsenal fans must have thought that Olivier Giroud was a secret love child of Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, as the Frenchman seemed to play whatever his form.

He is always on the receiving end of criticism from the Gunners fans. Maybe Giroud is not the top-notch striker that will fire them to the title. However, for more seasons than not he was the striker that fired them to a Champions League spot.

Last season, though, he fell out of favour with Wenger, as Alexis Sanchez thrived in the lone centre-forward role. Giroud made 29 Premier League appearances for the Gunners, but 18 of those appearances came from the substitute’s bench.

Despite limited game time, Giroud still struck 12 goals and produced three assists. His not a terrible record for a striker in the Premier League. In fact, Giroud’s goalscoring record of 98 goals and 27 assists in 227 appearances in all competitions is respectable enough.

Giroud is in-demand this summer

The Frenchman may be surplus to requirements in north London if as expected Arsenal complete a deal for compatriot Alexandre Lacazette in the next few days.

No doubt, the prolific Lyon striker Lacazette would be first choice striker for the Gunners. Giroud has stated in the past that he is prepared to fight for his position in north London.

However, at 30 he may decide that he could prosper elsewhere. There is certainly no lack of interest in the striker that is for sure. West Ham and Marseille are reportedly ready to make moves for the striker.

Everton, though, are the clear favourites at odds of 11/8 to sign the Frenchman this summer. The Toffees will be looking to add to their striking options if Lukaku does indeed leave Merseyside.

Ideal situation for everybody

It looks highly unlikely that Olivier Giroud will be first choice striker at Arsenal next season. Next year is a World Cup year and he is unlikely to spend next season on the Gunners bench. A move to an upwardly mobile club like Everton may well be just the thing Giroud needs to revive his career.

He is not a youngster. However, the Toffees will get a striker with Premier League experience, who with the right service will score goals in the English top-flight. Giroud may not be that prolific but he is a good focal point for an attack.

The new arrivals at Everton of Sandro and Klaassen would thrive off a striker that can hold the ball up and bring them into play. In short, he would be a decent striker to lead the Everton attack next season.

Lacazette is definitely a more prolific striker than Giroud, so Arsenal fans will be happy if the Gunners can finally get the deal done. There may be mixed feelings about Giroud leaving the club, though.

However, this summer seems like the right time for Olivier Giroud to leave the club. I am sure most Gunners fans would wish him well if he did move on. Maybe not if he scores against them next season, though!

Would Olivier Giroud be a good signing for Everton?