Tuttosport newspaper in this morning's print edition talked about the future of Olivier Giroud and his teammate Luka Jovic. Today, the former Chelsea centre-forward is a fundamental player for Stefano Pioli. He is almost indispensable.
The numbers speak for themselves, with yet another season reaching double figures. And it's not over yet. Eleven goals in the league in twenty appearances for a total of 1,514 minutes played. But not only that. Because to this figure, we must also add 8 decisive assists. The count increases further if we also add the goal, and another assist, in the Champions League. Numbers that still place him at the center of the current Rossoneri project.
And Olivier Giroud's future?
"Agreements involve two parties, I believe this end of the season will be decisive. He is comfortable at Milan, but he also has to consider his family. He turned down Arab money because he doesn't focus too much on money and because he has an important connection with the team, but I think we'll have to wait. In the meantime, he will give his all for Milan", as told by his intermediary in Italy, Vincenzo Morabito, in an interview with 'Si Gonfia la Rete'.
This time, however, the renewal depends more on the 37-year-old than on the Rossoneri club. It depends on the choice he will make together with his family. Olivier has already said no once to the millions of dollars from Saudi Arabia and will do so again. And despite his age (he will turn 38 on September 30), he would like to experience a challenging experience, one that makes him happy and motivated. At the top of the wish list is MLS, with the possibility of playing in Miami rather than Los Angeles. But New York wouldn't be bad either.
A decision he will make in the coming months when Manuello, his agent, arrives in Milan, who will first speak with the player, then with the management. A decision that also changes the Rossoneri's plans, aiming for a great attacker.
An attacker who could take his number 9 shirt. One is Joshua Zirkzee, the other is Benjamin Sesko. But the list certainly doesn't end here. With or without Giroud, Milan will renew Luka Jovic's contract and then await Olivier's decision.
If the Frenchman decides to stay another season, the club would not say no to reaching a new agreement. Today, Giroud earns 3.5 million euros net per season. A figure that Milan could not guarantee him again. But it's not a matter of money for a man, before being a player, like him. In Milan, he has also regained the trust of his France.
A national team he will leave after the Euros. Then he will be free to choose what to do when he grows up.
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