Chelsea duo Olivier Giroud and Danny Drinkwater are reportedly shock deadline day targets for London rivals West Ham United.
According to a report by Daily Mail, Olivier Giroud is the subject of interest from West Ham United, who are plotting a deadline day move for the French striker. Giroud’s Chelsea teammate Danny Drinkwater is also being courted by the Blues’ London rivals, who wish to sign him on a loan deal for the rest of the season.
Giroud joined Chelsea from Arsenal in last year’s January transfer window, with the Gunners inching closer to completing the acquisition of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Initially a backup to Alvaro Morata, the Frenchman soon usurped the underperforming Spaniard, although the two shared game time under Maurizio Sarri this season.
But, the arrival of Gonzalo Higuain is set to see Giroud largely play second fiddle to the Argentine, which looks evident following the team selection in the last two games. The 32-year-old is thus, considering his options ahead of the close of the January transfer window, with a move away from Chelsea on the cards.
Several clubs have been linked with Giroud in recent weeks, with the former Arsenal striker even rejecting an offer from Dalian Yifang. West Ham United though, could offer the Chelsea superstar the chance to continue his time in England and more crucially, London, where he is well settled.
The Hammers have, in fact, been interested in signing Giroud for quite some time now, and are hoping to kick-start a transfer merry go round with his acquisition. Javier Hernandez has been linked with a move to Valencia, while Lucas Perez is also believed to be on the verge of departing from the London Stadium.
With concerns over the delicate fitness situations of Andy Carroll and Marko Arnautovic, West Ham want to secure a striker before allowing Chicharito and Perez to leave. Giroud is thus, a viable target, particularly as a last ditch option, after a move for Maxi Gomez failed to materialize.
Chelsea though, are hoping to keep hold of the 32-year-old, as they want a quality backup option to Higuain. But, they will honour the player’s wishes if he so desires to call time on his spell at Stamford Bridge.
Meanwhile, as per a report by talkSPORT, West Ham have another Chelsea player in their sight, with Danny Drinkwater also being considered for a deadline day move.
Drinkwater made his way to Chelsea from Leicester City, where his stint ended in a rather fractious manner. However, the move to the West London club has not panned out as the Englishman would have envisaged, with the player failing to establish himself as a regular last season.
Things have only gone downhill under the reign of Maurizio Sarri, who has handed Drinkwater just one appearance off the bench, in the season opening Community Shield tie against Manchester City. And so, it has been well documented as to how the 28-year-old would be poised for a January move away from Chelsea.
The interest from West Ham does make sense, with Manuel Pellegrini having no backup option for Mark Noble, Declan Rice and Pedro Obiang, who have played most games this season. With Jack Wilshere, Manuel Lanzini and Carlos Sanchez recovering from long-term injuries, Drinkwater’s addition could come as a major boost.
To that end, West Ham are hoping to swoop Drinkwater away from Chelsea on a loan deal for the rest of the season. The Hammers though, will have to move quickly if they are to secure the services of both players, although only a deal for Drinkwater looks likely at this late a juncture of the transfer window.
