Olivier GiroudGetty Images

Giroud set for crunch Chelsea talks as Marseille lie in wait

Olivier Giroud is set for talks with Chelsea next week upon his arrival back to Cobham Training Centre, with his future still in the balance, Goal understands.

Marseille are waiting on the outcome of the discussions, with the ambitious French side poised to make a move.

The World Cup-winning striker remains on holiday but he is due back on Monday and will speak to the club ahead of the transfer window closure on August 9.

OM have expressed an interest in signing Giroud, who has a year left on his Chelsea contract, after signing an 18-month deal in January. However, the club does have a clause with the option to extend the contract for another season.

New boss Maurizio Sarri could be ready to sanction a move for Giroud, with Michy Batshuayi and Tammy Abraham ranking among their returning high-value strikers who were on loan last season.

Former manager Antonio Conte was a huge fan of Giroud, opting to use him ahead of Alvaro Morata to the end of last season, but he could be the first player to lose out over the summer's managerial switch. 

Morata, meanwhile, remains likely to stay, despite having had interest from both Milan clubs and Juventus in this transfer window.

Chelsea had explored the possibility of signing Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain, who Sarri held a keen interest in reuniting with after working well with him at Napoli, but AC Milan have enterred an advanced stage of talks with the frontman.

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