Lyon enter race for Chelsea misfit Giroud

Lyon are reportedly keen on bringing Chelsea’s Olivier Giroud to the Groupama Stadium in January. Giroud has barely figured for the Blues this season as Tammy Abraham has started the campaign in red-hot form and is keeping him out of the team.
The World Cup winner has only started one Premier League match this season, although he also started the UEFA Super Cup penalty-shootout loss against Liverpool in August.
The former Arsenal striker Giroud is not only behind Abraham but also has the presence of Michy Batshuayi to contend with on the bench, and the Belgian came on as a substitute in midweek to score a late winner in their 1-0 Champions League win against Ajax.
Lyon have been alerted to Giroud’s lack of playing time and could make a move in January.
The 33-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and is likely to be available for a cut-price fee.
Lyon, however, are understood to only be interested in doing a deal with Chelsea if they offload Moussa Dembele in the winter window.
The former Celtic man has been in great form at the start of the season despite Rudi Garcia’s side struggling this term – they are hovering just above the relegation zone even though they are playing Champions League football after their efforts last term.
Dembele has netted six goals in seven appearances in all competitions and scored 26 goals in 56 appearances in total since making the move from the Hoops in August 2018.
Manchester United have been linked and should he depart it would give the green light for Lyon to make the move for Giroud.
Giroud may get a chance to impress Frank Lampard for Chelsea when they face United in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Wednesday.