Chelsea transfer news: Nice president confirms club’s interest in signing unsettled Olivier Giroud

The French World Cup-winner recently claimed he wanted to leave if he was not given ‘a more important role’

Nice’s club president Gauthier Ganaye has confirmed the Ligue 1 club are interested in signing Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud at the end of the season.

Giroud revealed last week that he wants to leave Chelsea when his contract expires this summer if he is not given a “more important role”.

However, the Blues have an option to extend his deal and are thought to be keen to keep hold of the striker with the looming threat of a transfer ban.

Speaking to Telefoot, Ganaye said: “He is at the end of his contract, he still performs well at his age.

However, Ganaye did admit that the World Cup-winner’s wage demands could prove a stumbling block to any transfer.

“Come on, let’s tell you it’s possible,” he continued. “His salary? Yeah, it’s really expensive.”

Giroud’s current deal at Stamford Bridge is believed to be worth over £100,000-per-week, yet the striker has been restricted to the bench for the majority of his time in West London, with 10 of his 12 goals this season coming in the Europa League.

Olivier Giroud has played a key role in Chelsea’s Europa League campaign (Reuters)

Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s Europa League quarter-final second leg last week, Giroud claimed: “Trust me I’m very frustrated when I’m not on the pitch, but I just don’t want to show it,” said Giroud.

“You need to keep that frustration for you. And transform that into positive energy on the pitch.

“But trust me I’m not happy to play the second role. That’s why I said next year I will need to have more important role to play in the team.”