New York or Los Angeles? Olivier Giroud ready to join Lionel Messi in MLS as World Cup winning-striker narrows down choices ahead of leaving AC Milan as a free agent

There are four teams for him to choose from across those two cities, with the Red Bulls and NYCFC gracing the Big Apple while LAFC and the Galaxy turn out in the City of Angels. Both hold obvious appeal to Giroud as he prepares to go chasing the American dream.

Argentine icon Messi made a similar decision in 2023, and another World Cup winner could soon be heading to the United States as a free agent. That is because Giroud, who claimed a global crown in 2018 and is now his country’s all-time leading goalscorer, is running down his contract at AC Milan.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, talks regarding a summer move to America have “intensified”. A new one-year deal at San Siro or another challenge in Europe remain possibilities for now, but Giroud is edging towards a fresh start in MLS.

He is said to favour moves to either New York or California, with the 37-year-old seeing those landing spots as the best options for him on a professional level and with his young family taken into account. Discussions will continue until a definitive decision is made.