Rennes failed in an attempt to sign Chelsea star Olivier Giroud
According to French outlet L’Equipe (h/t Daily Mail), Ligue 1 side Rennes failed in an attempt to sign Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud.
The French side were keen for the Blues to include the 33-year-old in the transfer offer for Edouard Mendy.
The Senegalese goalkeeper looks set to be Chelsea’s seventh signing of what has been an excellent summer transfer window.
Mendy is set to cost Chelsea £25million. However, when negotiations began, Rennes were holding out for £37m while also seeking Giroud on loan or for free.
With his contract expiring next summer, sending him out on loan would be as good as losing him for free. Chelsea for their part did not give in and refused to part ways with the Frenchman.
Mendy was left out of Rennes’ 4-2 victory against Nimes on Sunday. He now looks set to provide competition for under-fire Blues shot-stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The Spaniard returned to the starting line-up for our season opener against Brighton and Hove Albion. Although he appeared far from assured on the whole, Kepa’s performances were enough to please Lampard.
Hopefully, the addition of Mendy will bring in the motivation for Kepa to increase his levels of performance.
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Chelsea have already lost Michy Batshuayi to Crystal Palace on loan this summer.
Timo Werner appears to be our first-choice striker for the campaign. While Tammy Abraham is available as backup, Giroud’s nous and ability to get the best out of a situation are key weapons over the duration of a season.
Moreover, Giroud is also keen to make the France squad for the Euros next summer. It should ensure his motivation levels stay up to keep Werner and Abraham on their toes. (h/t Football.london)