Sam Allardyce reveals why Everton won't sign Olivier Giroud in January

The Arsenal striker came close to signing for the club last summer

Olivier Giroud won't be joining Everton in January (Getty)

Sam Allardyce has revealed that Everton are unlikely to make a fresh move for Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud – because of the player’s wife.

The France international admitted earlier this season that he came very close to joining the Toffees last summer, after the Merseyside club sold Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United for £75m.

But in the end the 31-year-old opted against quitting Arsenal, with new Everton manager Allardyce revealing that the Frenchman’s wife played a large part in scuppering the move.

“As far as I know he doesn't want to move north of Watford, well his wife doesn't want to anyway,” he told the Liverpool Echo.

“It's very important to the wives, believe you me. Normally they are the bosses.”

The striker has played a bit-part role at The Emirates this season and will miss Arsenal's Premier League trip to Crystal Palace on Thursday, with the France striker sidelined until January 15 with a hamstring problem.

Defender Nacho Monreal has been ruled out due to an ankle injury that is expected to take 10 days to clear.

Giroud is not an automatic starter for Arsenal (AFP/Getty Images)

And midfielder Aaron Ramsey will also be unavailable, as he battles a hamstring problem of his own.