AC Milan centre-forward Olivier Giroud is just coming from a very positive first season in Serie A despite injuries and setbacks. The attacker has 14 goals and 4 assists this season with the Rossoneri in 38 fixtures played overall. One of the former Chelsea star's intermediaries is Italian agent Vincenzo Morabito. Here are his words in an exclusive interview with MilanLive.it:
"Scudetto victory? When he arrived, we knew he was going to make a big contribution, he's a great professional and he arrived with the right spirit. Ibrahimovic did well with him and vice versa, there was great harmony. It was known that the Swede would play little. Milan made a big hit because the quality-price ratio was excellent."
Is it true that Giroud was also close to signing with other Italian clubs?
"He was very close to Inter in January 2020, then they spent a little too much for Eriksen. The operation was done before Christmas. Simone Inzaghi at Lazio also wanted him, as did Napoli, Roma and Juventus last year. He was one of the names that the Bianconeri followed. It seemed that it could be done, then they called me to tell me that they had taken Morata. With hindsight, if Inter had taken him maybe they would have won the Scudetto now because Olivier was decisive in the important matches. He scored two goals in the derby, scored against Napoli, two goals against Sassuolo in Reggio Emilia. He is a player with great games. He will not be a bomber à la Immobile but he makes the difference in the important games. He has a concentration, a preparation for these challenges as a great professional, even on the physical level he has always been available."
How AC Milan signed Olivier Giroud:
"Milan had already shown a certain interest in the previous months, then Ibrahimovic arrived and everything stopped. There hadn't been a negotiation yet. They showed up again when he realized that perhaps Ibra would not have kept playing the whole championship. Inter were in place, Juve too. Juve could have taken him as the central striker was missing before Vlahovic. Milan presented themselves after the winter transfer market, they were constant in contacts despite Chelsea having changed the cards because they did not keep their promise to free him for free. A sacrifice had to be made, Milan paid compensation but it was worth it."
Is there a renewal idea and is it true that Juventus are interested in Giroud?
"Giroud's contract expires in 2023 but there is an option for another year and the feeling is that Milan will soon call me and Manuelo (Giroud's agent) to talk about it. From what we have seen this year, Giroud can do one or two more seasons in Italy without any problems. Juve? I understand that sometimes it can be hypothesised and that there are rumors, but we are talking about a player who has just won the Scudetto with Milan. Juve had the chance in the past, they had a penalty but did not want to shoot it because they chose Morata, and it is a legitimate choice. But the idea that Juve can go to a player who three days ago won the Scudetto? Honestly it's not even worth commenting on."
Morabito added:
"Knowing Giroud, even if Real Madrid comes, I don't think he is interested in leaving Milan. Because he is very loyal. And when he lives this situation, as happened also at Arsenal and Chelsea, he is not a type who changes often, on the other hand this is a characteristic of the great players who win, apart from those who prefer money."
Some people claim that Milan play without a centre-forward, what do you say to that?
"He also wanted to challenge superstition: from the first moment he said 'I want the shirt number 9.' In the first year, he won the Scudetto. Everyone was a bit hesitant about choosing this number, even Maldini and Massara themselves. But he immediately said that he wanted it. Olivier is spectacular. But unfortunately, the trend is moving towards players who change often and have little loyalty, and listen to characters who don't care much about football. And the clubs are penalized because they always do everything to please them economically. I hope something changes. Real football is Olivier who plays, scores and rejoices."
How do you comment on the arrival of Divock Origi regarding Olivier Giroud's situation with the club:
"I met Origi in London and I told him 'One day you will play in Italy', for me, he will do well for Milan. But, I believe that Giroud will remain the first choice. Ibrahimovic? I don't that he will be able to do that much. If he stays, he does it for a group talk. There is the Champions League, the championship .. And among other things Giroud and Origi can also play together."
A comment on Paolo Maldini's interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport?
"Maldini has shown great personality. Former players are said to be not very inclined to restart in other roles. He really did well. He has taken everything in hand and is a decisive character when a player has to choose between Milan and another club. With Olivier (Giroud), it was understood immediately but finding a feeling with Maldini is not difficult because he talks about football in a simple and polite way. He (Maldini) did well.If he did it via the press, it was because he expected someone from inside to move. If he doesn't, it goes without saying that you have to give it a shake. I hope Maldini and Massara will stay because they worked really well. For Milan and for the fans, it would be very bad to give up these managers. For me it will all fit, he did well to give a shock from the media point of view. Renewal? I expected it a few months ago as is usually done. Gazidis is a great executive but he has to respond to the directives of the owners. I believe that there is no type of problem linked to the professionalism and work of Maldini and Massara because there is nothing to say there."
Is Paolo Maldini a guarantee for the fans then just like he is for players?
"For a player to think that Maldini can leave... it is not a pleasure. I've never had a player who asked me to leave for a change of director, But for a change of coach though? Yes. I repeat that for me, it is not an eventuality. Of course, when you do these outings there is a risk; the Milan fans in this case are all alongside Maldini. It must be said that with other presidents who are the protagonists instead maybe he would have been thrown out."
Morabito on AC Milan getting close to Botman and Newcastle getting back into the race:
"Milan are very attentive to the quality-cost ratio, they proved it last year by giving up Donnarumma and taking Maignan. They were well targeted operations. When costs increased in some situations, they gave up. And this is how the transfer market is done. Until Covid, there were really crazy figures for cards of some players. Italian football has spent too much and badly in past years and now the same mistake cannot be repeated."
