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Arsenal set to sign Olivier Giroud for £12m from Montpellier

By David OrnsteinBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments104

Olivier Giroud

Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign Montpellier striker and France international Olivier Giroud for £12m.

He will have a medical and paperwork will be completed after Euro 2012.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger intends to play him alongside fellow new signing Lukas Podolski and Dutch striker Robin van Persie in a front three.

The 6ft 3in forward, who was an unused substitute in France's 1-1 Euro 2012 draw with England, scored 21 goals in his club's run to the Ligue 1 title.

Giroud is one of only two recognised strikers in the French squad, alongside Karim Benzema. He has six caps for his country and one goal.

Earlier this week, Montpellier manager Rene Girard told French radio station RMC that Wenger was leading a chase of top sides for the striker, who became his club's record transfer two years ago when he cost them £1.7m.

"Arsenal are very interested and Giroud wants to play in England. If Arsene agrees with the president, he will sign for them," he said.

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104 comments

  • Comment posted by U14841845, at 15:47 13 Jun 2012

    Great addition to the team. Opening this up for discussion is an obvious Wenger bashing exercise, but he is simply brilliant. He's only 12 mill because of a release clause and is NOT in the mould of Chamack.

    If RVP goes it won't be as bad as everyone thinks, he had a remarkable season but was probably a one-off. Arsenal will be stronger next season - and I don't even support them.

  • Comment posted by ElNombre, at 15:48 13 Jun 2012

    You get for what you pay for PM? So liverpool got what they payed for when they bought Henderson, Downing and Carroll for £70 million. In that case Ben Arfa and Cabaye should be absolute dross for what newcastle payed for them.

  • Comment posted by User0315155789, at 17:42 13 Jun 2012

    Podolski and Giroud arn't second string strikers, they are quality at a reasonable fee, Wenger is great at finding a bargain, now see their value rocket when they get going, he got both of them for less than the price of a Carroll or Torres and will probably get all of the money back from the sales of Chamakh, Djourou and Bentdner....... then spend it on a holding midfielder Arsene please

  • Comment posted by User0452332897, at 16:20 13 Jun 2012

    @ Irish James

    £10+m for a striker that's scored 20+ goals in a season, yes please.

    Also, £35m for Andy Carroll, £50m for Torres....

    £24million for Podolski and Giroud....

    Just because Wenger isn't paying stupid money for a player doesn't mean they'll flop.

  • Comment posted by User0479126285, at 21:16 13 Jun 2012

    Rvp nice Dutch goal ( cost city another 2 m )

  • Comment posted by User0281379961, at 15:22 13 Jun 2012

    Think he will be a very good signing, now all I want to see is M'Vila signed as cover in midfield and to give Song some support when he wants to move forward. Basically sell 80% of the current bench (Bendtner/Diaby/Vela/Park etc.) and I would love to see an addition in the defence, I still think Christopher Samba would of been an amazing signing, we need someone like him, a TANK.

  • Comment posted by User0479126285, at 17:57 13 Jun 2012

    Arsenal do not have a problem spending money on top players , but they have a problem paying top salaries. They have a 'wage cap' which restricts the amount players can earn , it is main reason why they lost some their stars to Manchester city . RVP will RiP very soon , as he will be able to earn over double what the Gunners are currently paying him .

  • Comment posted by Xavier, at 15:04 13 Jun 2012

    Don't understand why people think this means RVP will leave. Arsenal were slated for being a 'one-man team' last season, obviously implying we need more people who can contribute to goals. We sign two more forwards, suddenly it means van Persie must surely be on his way out? Wow.

    Anyway, hope this deal goes through. Looking forward to watching him in the EPL.

  • Comment posted by dorians35, at 14:56 13 Jun 2012

    Good to see the board doing business early and making proactive moves. It would be very sad to see RVP move on but no player is bigger than the club and his attitude appears to have become slightly more mercenary since the likes of Na$ri moved to that new club up north with the petro dollars. Sign M'Vila and with the likes of Wilshere back, we are starting to look convincing anyhow.

  • Comment posted by webbeldez, at 15:57 13 Jun 2012

    Great news! A fantastic buy.

    Looks like Arsene isn't going to the let demons of last year repeat themselves! Let's hope the team make a solid start so Arsenal can put up a good challenge this coming season!

    The squad is looking stronger and stronger...Podoski, Giroud..who else is on the shopping list ?

  • Comment posted by Tom Martin, at 21:47 13 Jun 2012

    Fantastic signing, but is Wenger just going to ignore the fact that they don't have a solid defence to build a team up from for another year? He needs new centre halves and a left back, no more strikers.

  • Comment posted by User0480095238, at 15:46 13 Jun 2012

    I don't understand the negativity surrounding our transfer dealings. Gervinho has done ok for his first season in England and Chamakh was great during his first half season (bear in mind that he's rarely made two consecutive appearances since then). As for Giroud, he's been prolific in France this term, he scored more than Hazard anyway. I realise that they play different positions but still...

  • Comment posted by D1679480995783, at 22:32 13 Jun 2012

    The transfer of Giroud would be great whether we kept V. Persie or not. Obviously I want him to stay. Having said that, this is Wenger and he'll always work miracles if the worst happens. All that is left is to get rid of Djourou, Denilson, Bendtner, Arshavin, Squilacci, Chamakh and Park and bring in a DM, LB and a CB in that order.

  • Comment posted by U14841845, at 15:58 13 Jun 2012

    Did nobody see him play in France's friendlies - he was immense!

    Sell RVP, Arshavin, Chamack, Squillachi, Diaby, and buy Giroud and M'Villa and Arsenal will have made money and have a better squad. Wilshire's coming back, the defence is solid, though they could do with a right back. Arsenal would be unbeatable with M'Villa.

  • Comment posted by User0822070381, at 22:12 13 Jun 2012

    AW clearly wants Robin to stay, 2 signings and we're not anywhere near August yet! This is almost unheard of, and long may it continue!!

  • Comment posted by User0054558670, at 22:50 13 Jun 2012

    Sensible move by Wenger. This by no means indicates at RVP's departure, Arsenal fans may remember that Arsenal had plenty of forwards at the same time like Thierry Henry, Nwankwo Kanu, Dennis Bergkamp and Sylvain Wiltord, as well as Ljungberg who was a winger that could play second striker(much like Podolski) Chamberlain and Walcott can still have plenty of playing time in this set up.

  • Comment posted by sportsfan9, at 15:15 13 Jun 2012

    It's got to be said if we keep RVP and Wilshere stays fit the whole season our team doesn't look half bad.Team for next season:
    Sir Chesney
    Sagna, Vermaelen, Koscielny/Mertesacker,Gibbs
    Song, Arteta, Wilshere
    RVP, Giroud, Podolski
    Of course there is flexibility here but I think that's a good team with strength on the bench, thoughts anyone?

  • Comment posted by Edward, at 14:55 13 Jun 2012

    or could this be the exact statement of intent by arsene that convinces RVP to sign a new contract?

  • Comment posted by LeeMeade, at 18:22 13 Jun 2012

    Wenger as usual thinking backwards. Great teams build from the back and middle. We need help in defense. We're thin at full-back, and i don't trust Djourou anywhere on the pitch. And who backs up Sczesczny?
    We have too many forwards who don't score enough (Gervinho), too many forwards period. Get help for Song in the defensive middle and another full-back. Maybe look someplace other than France.

  • Comment posted by User0825091556, at 15:44 13 Jun 2012

    @irish james
    What would you suggest, £50 million for a player like Torres? Do you think all clubs have the same amount of money as Chelsea and City? How much do you think Chelsea paid for Hazzard (A player from the same league as Chamakh) on a transfer and wages?

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