The Blues are on the red alert after the rumors surfaced about Atletico Madrid eyeing a potential move for Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud in the January transfer window. The Spanish outfit is weighing up a January swoop for the French striker according to the reports. Giroud is one of the few names among many under consideration by Atletico Madrid.
The Spanish outfit has waved goodbye to their 32-year-old Diego Costa earlier this week. After weeks of speculations on Diego Costa’s future. Atletico released the striker is released on mutual consent over his contract termination. On Tuesday, Atletico came up with a termination announcement over Costa’s current deal. Which was set to end in the summer of June 2021.
Costa asked to leave the club earlier even though it only has six months to end due to his personal reasons. Days after Atletico decided to release him. This suggests that Costa can join any club on a free transfer while the Spanish outfit significantly decreased their wage bill. Which would eventually help the club to bring reinforcement in the January transfer window.
Costa seven years with Atletico Madrid
The 32-year-old made an impressive debut in La Liga where he witnessed a domestic league win along with reaching the Champions League final. But he left the club for Chelsea in 2014 and was re-signed by Atletico in 2018. After making a return, Costa failed to revive his best form and could only score 12 goals during the three years with Atletico Madrid.
One could say that his return was surrounded by a series of injuries. Along with the beginning of the 2020-21 campaign testing positive for Coronavirus. The injuries restricted his game time and he called drastically in the pecking order. Luiz Suarez and Joao Felix were given a place ahead of Costa in the pecking order. He made his last goal for the club in a 3-1 La Liga win over Elche. It was at the beginning of this month.
Giroud under consideration
Now that Costa has left the club. Diego Simeone is looking for a quick replacement. A report by Rai Sport claims that Olivier Giroud is one of the names that is topping the list. Chelsea striker has become a club’s leading goalscorer after the tables turned few matches ago. Prior to which Giroud was majorly spotted occupying the sidelines rather than the pitch.
The 34-year-old made a very slow start to life with no league appearance and no game time at the beginning of the 2020-21 campaign. This hinted towards an exit in January. As the Frenchman was desperate for the game time that could help him secure a place in the Euro squad.
However, his recent involvement in most of the games and scoring nine goals in all suggest that he might decide to stay with Chelsea. Even though he can make any agreement with the foreign club from January 1. While he will become a free agent in the summer.
Chelsea has a chance to secure the services of an experienced and talented striker if they do want to lose a striker for free or in the middle of the campaign. On the other hand, if Atletico Madrid wants to prise the ex-Arsenal man away from the club then they must come up with an offer Chelsea cannot deny.
