Staff Reporter.
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Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has completed his move to AC Milan for an undisclosed fee after three years at Stamford Bridge.
The 34-year-old thanked Chelsea on Twitter for the “special memories”, saying he’s “starting a new journey with a light and happy heart”.
He wrote: “Our victories in the FA Cup, Europa League and Champions League have been magnificent.”
Giroud added: “To all the Blues, to my teammates, to all my coaches, to the whole club, a huge thank you for these special moments.”
He scored 11 goals in 31 appearances for European champions Chelsea last season but only made eight Premier League starts.
Chelsea signed Germany forwards Kai Havertz and Timo Werner last summer, which meant Giroud had reduced game time in the 2020-21 league season.
The striker scored 39 goals in 119 appearances for the Blues in total, winning the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup.
The World Cup winner, who also won three FA Cups with Arsenal, came off the bench in France’s Euro 2020 defeat against Switzerland in the last 16.
AC Milan finished 12 points behind rivals Inter Milan, who won Serie A, last season.
Meanwhile Arsenal have reached an agreement in principle with Brighton to sign the Seagulls’ England defender Ben White, 23, on a deal worth about £50m.
Elsewhere transfer rumours: Kane, Grealish, Ronaldo, Bale, White, Trippier, Zaha, Telles:
Tottenham striker Harry Kane, 27, and Aston Villa forward Jack Grealish, 25, remain Manchester City’s top summer targets and the Premier League champions are determined to sign both England internationals. (The Athletic – subscription required)
Real Madrid will have to “put up with” Wales forward Gareth Bale for another season as they have not received any offers for the 32-year-old who spent last season on loan at Tottenham. (Mundo Deportivo – in Spanish)
Crystal Palace hope efforts made to strengthen the squad under new manager Patrick Vieira will be enough to convince Ivory Coast forward Wilfried Zaha, 28, to remain at the club. (London Evening Standard)
Manchester United have blocked their former manager Jose Mourinho, now in charge of Roma, from signing Brazilian left-back Alex Telles, 28, on loan this season (Sky Sports Italia, in Italian)
Inter Milan have stepped up efforts to sign Spanish defender Hector Bellerin from Arsenal, but the Italian champions want the 26-year-old on a one-year loan with an option to make it permanent next summer, while the Gunners want about £15m. (Sun)
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 36, who has been linked with a return to Manchester United and a move to Paris St-Germain, is set to remain at Juventus with talk of a potential new one-year deal which could include a pay cut. (Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian).
Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo could turn to his former club Wolves in search of summer recruits, with Ivory Coast defender Willy Boly, 30, and 25-year-old Portugal forward Daniel Podence linked with a move to Spurs. (Talksport)