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After a month-long (and jarringly public) search for a new striker, Chelsea finally have their man.
The Blues have completed a deal for Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud, in a transfer believed to be worth around £18m, the breakdown of which is reportedly an initial £15.3m with the remaining £2.7m in add-ons.
Chelsea Football Club has today completed the signing of Olivier Giroud from Arsenal.
Full story ? https://t.co/XDqSwzsZmO#GiroudIsBlue pic.twitter.com/5d1sRuBNrB
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 31, 2018
At more than one point over the past few weeks it looked as though Chelsea might be left frustrated in their efforts to sign striker, as a number of obstacles wandered into their path. Their pursuit of Andy Carroll was foiled by injury, while a deal to bring Roma’s Edin Dzeko back to the Premier League ultimately broke down.
A three-way stand-off had developed over the last few days involving Chelsea, Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund over deals for Giroud, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Michy Batshuayi – but on a hectic deadline day, all three deals were forced over the line with none of the clubs involved emerging empty-handed.
Giroud now departs the Emirates to make the move across London, five-and-a-half years since arriving at Arsenal in a £9.6m deal from Montpellier in the summer of 2012. In his time at the club, the 31-yar-old scored 105 goals in 253 games in all competitions, and was part of the Gunners sides that won the FA Cup on three occasions.
He has signed an initial 18-month deal with his new club, with the option of a further year.
The move pushes Chelsea’s January spending past the £50m mark, with the signing of Everton’s Ross Barkley earlier in the window and the £24m capture of Roma left-back Emerson Palmieri on Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, it has also been confirmed that Michy Batshuayi has left Chelsea to join Dortmund on loan until the end of the season, completing the Arsneal/Chelsea/Dortmund merry-go-round.
? BVB leiht Michy #Batshuayi bis Saisonende vom @ChelseaFC aus!
Alle Infos: https://t.co/WUplWHl5b4 pic.twitter.com/za5nQaT2dT
— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) January 31, 2018
