Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud ‘agrees deal’ with Juventus as Suarez alternative

Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has reportedly agreed a deal in principle with Juventus as the Serie A giants target alternatives to Luis Suarez.

The Italian champions are looking for a new striker after agreeing to release Gonzalo Higuain, with Barcelona star Suarez believed to be their top target.

And Giroud has emerged as a serious alternative with the French forward facing a battle to nail down a first-team spot at Chelsea this season.

That’s according to Gianluca DiMarzio, who claims the 33-year-old striker has reached an ‘agreement in principle’ with the Turin side over a two-year deal.

Giroud faces competition for a starting spot at Stamford Bridge from summer signing Timo Werner, as well as young England forward Tammy Abraham.

has left the club to join Crystal Palace on loan, but new recruit Kai Havertz can also play up front, meaning Giroud could potentially be Frank Lampard’s fourth choice for the forthcoming campaign.

Giroud will want first-team football as he targets a place in the France squad for next summer’s postponed Euro 2020 finals.

He attracted the interest of Inter Milan during the January transfer window as his Chelsea contract was due to expire this summer.

But he signed a one-year deal in May – which ensures Lampard’s side will be due a transfer fee if he does leave.

It is reported that Chelsea value him at around £4.6million, making him a straightforward signing if Juve do press ahead with plans to take him to Turin.

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But that allows the nine-times consecutive Serie A kings to wait until late in the transfer window as they chase former Liverpool star Suarez plus other targets.

Andrea Pirlo’s side are also reported to be interested in Roma’s Edin Dzeko and Everton’s Moise Kean, as well as Edinson Cavani, who is expected to favour a move to Atletico Madrid after leaving Paris-Saint Germain as a free agent.