Milan striker Olivier Giroud says he was ‘so desperate’ for playing time in 2020 that he considered joining Tottenham while Inter told him they ‘had no money.’
The France striker held a press conference in Milan today to unveil his biography ‘Always believe’ which has been translated into Italian.
Giroud joined the Rossoneri a year ago and played a key role in the Diavoli’s title-winning campaign in 2021-22.
He could have moved to Italy earlier as both Lazio and Inter had been in talks to secure his services in January 2020.
“At that time, I was not getting regular playing time at Chelsea, I was the third-choice striker, so I tried to find a solution with Frank Lampard,” he said during a press conference.
“I couldn’t remain in that situation. I wanted to leave, but Lampard told me that he needed a replacement.
“He promised me that I would have had more chances and gave me the opportunity to do so, I think I scored eight goals in the final ten games of the season, thank God we qualified for the Champions League.
“At that time, Italian clubs were very interested,” the striker continued.
“At one point, Inter told me that they no longer had money to sign me. I had done everything to leave, I also met Lazio’s sporting director Igli Tare, a gentleman, he came to Heathrow airport just to meet me.”
Ironically, Giroud’s brace against the Nerazzurri in the last Milan derby in Serie A in February helped the Rossoneri seal a crucial 2-1 win which is seen by many as the turning point of the season for both Milanese sides.
Giroud didn’t score bags of goals in his first season at the Stadio Meazza but always left the mark in decisive games, having found the net in victories against Roma, Napoli, Lazo and in the final match of the season against Sassuolo.
“I was so desperate to leave that I even told Lampard that I’d have joined Tottenham because I knew that José Mourinho wanted me,” the striker continued.
“In the end, I think it would have been difficult because I had played for Arsenal. Destiny wanted me to be here, wearing the Rossoneri shirt.”
Such a likable player and an absolute trophy criminal, glad you’re at my beloved Milan!
Inter are on dangerous ground. They’re making lots of signings and while it seems like shreud business, unless they win something good that brings significant money, they’ll end up with a huge hole in their pockets. Especially if they sign Dybala too. This should be fun to watch.