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ESPNsoccernet: Transfers | |
Montpellier forward Olivier Giroud is close to completing a move to Arsenal, the French club's deputy president has said.
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French international Giroud scored 25 goals last season as Montpellier won the Ligue 1 title, and it is thought the club would want a fee of around £13 million for him.
Arsenal appear favourites to sign him and make him a second attacking addition to their squad after completing a deal for German international Lukas Podolski earlier this month.
"Discussions are happening and going well. Things are moving serenely,'' Montpellier's Laurent Nicollin told the Midi Libre newspaper.
On Friday, the Borussia Monchengladbach sporting director Max Eberl admitted it would be difficult for his club to sign Giroud in the face of competition from the likes of Arsenal.
Eberl said the club would not look to compete beyond their self-imposed financial limits, telling Bild: "We remain true to our policy that we do not throw our money out the window.
"The problem in our negotiations is that we are in competition with clubs like Arsenal and top clubs in Germany."