Striker Olivier Giroud Wants To Stay At AC Milan

AC Milan veteran striker Olivier Giroud. (X/@acmilan)

JAKARTA - Veteran striker Olivier Giroud wants to stay at AC Milan. It's just that Giroud has to prove that at 37 he is still worthy of being maintained by Milan.

Giroud terminated his contract in June 2024. However, Milan has not opened negotiations with Giroud to discuss contract extensions.

This led to news that Milan would not keep Giroud. Meanwhile, the player plans to close his career by playing at MLS.

Giroud's agent, Vincenzo Morabito, said that the second half of the competition this season will be a bet for the French striker.

If you perform optimally, the former Arsenal striker has the opportunity to get a contract extension. However, Marabito also could not confirm that Giroud would be retained.

"Marriage can only occur because of the agreement between the two parties. I estimate that in the second half of this competition will be decisive," said Morabito.

"What is clear is that he feels at home in Milan. However, he also considers his family. He rejects the big money offer from Saudi Arabia. In addition, he does have an important contract. So, we'll just have to wait. At this time, he gave everything for Milan," he said.

Giroud is still the mainstay of the Rossoneri this season. The player who helped France win the 2018 World Cup became the club's top scorer.

He scored 12 goals and made nine assists during 27 views with Milan in various competitions.

He joined Milan from Chelsea in 2021 and won the Scudetto in his first season. After returning to European competition, Giroud took Milan to the semifinals of the Champions League.

"After becoming the league champion, Milan reached the semifinals of the Champions League. However, achievements in domestic competitions cannot be separated from improper player recruitment."

"As a result, Milan was not able to play in two competitions. However, Giroud is one of the strikers who can do it," said Morabito.

The striker, who has scored 44 goals during his 12 appearances at Milan, has not confirmed which club will play in the next season. Regarding the offer to play at MLS, Giroud is still considering it.

"I don't know what will happen next year. I just know that I am happy at Milan. The club and I haven't met yet. We'll see. The important thing is, I focus first on the club's targets," he said.

Milan itself is aiming for a younger striker. Their targets include strikers Lille, Jonathan David, and Benjamin Sesko who are the mainstay of RB Leipzig.