Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has finally come clean on his failed transfer to Inter Milan in the January transfer window. The 33-year-old former Arsenal star was rumored to be on his way out of Stamford Bridge with the Nerrazzuri believed to be interested in his service but ended up staying at the club beyond the transfer deadline.
Following his arrival from Arsenal in January 2018, Giroud has struggled to fit into the Chelsea set-up and has been on the fringes for the most part of his career with the Blues. Under Maurizio Sarri, the French striker was often used as a substitute and such as been the case under his side's new boss Frank Lampard. So far, his goal tally with the London outfit stands at 21 in 76 appearances, three of which were scored in 13 appearances this season.
With his playing chances limited at Stamford Bridge, Giroud sought a way out and was tipped for a move to Serie A side Inter Milan in the winter transfer window. However, the transfer failed to materialize and the former Arsenal striker was left to fight for a place in Frank Lampard's plans for the remainder of the season.
While discussing transfer offers that came his way in past months with Telefoot, the World Cup winner revealed that everything was in place for him to seal a move to Inter but Chelsea's inability to find his replacement derailed the arrangement. Needless to say, he still left the door open for a potential move to San Siro in the summer.
"For me the most interesting project was the one with Inter; I already spoke with Conte and he coached me at Chelsea.
"I lived six difficult months and I wanted a change of air, but my club made the condition to find a replacement before letting me leave. I hoped until midnight on January 31 that I'd transfer in nerazzurro.
"Lazio came here to London to speak with the managers, but at the end I needed to understand that I'd be staying. Everything pushed back to June with Inter? Who knows..."
