Many Newcastle United fans have been going crazy on social media, after reports by the Chronicle claimed Steve Bruce has turned his attention to signing Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud.
The boss has been careful in his selection of whom to target in the January market but has continued to monitor Giroud’s situation at Stamford Bridge, having identified the Frenchman as a potential option earlier in the window.
Bruce was forced to look away from offensive reinforcements after season-ending injuries to Paul Dummett and Jetro Willems, but has now turned back to attacking options after landing Tottenham Hotspur’s Danny Rose until the end of the term.
Giroud is keen to secure a move away from Frank Lampard’s South West London side before Friday’s deadline passes, and is thought to be available on loan for a fee of around £3million.
Bruce had been left to concede defeat in his hopes of signing Giroud this month when Inter Milan appeared to have secured his signature, though the Nerazurri’s two-year deal fell through leading to claims that fellow Serie A side SS Lazio are leading the race for the 33-year-old.
Would you back a Deadline Day move for Giroud?
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Lazio are believed to have an agreement in place with Chelsea to sign Giroud, but their deal hinges on SSC Napoli selling Belgium international Dries Mertens to the Stamford Bridge side against President Aurelio De Laurentiis’ wishes.
Lampard has rarely called on summer 2020 free agent Giroud this season, with the £110,000-per-week striker only starting two Premier League fixtures and has not been included in a top-flight matchday squad since December 4.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to claims that Bruce is once again targeting a deal for Chelsea forward Giroud…
I’d be more than happy with that as a short term deal, need someone that can actually hit the barn door
— Synergy Home (@Synergy_Home) January 30, 2020
If we pull that of be one best transfer windows in long time
— Rory Jake Robertson (@RoryNUFC94) January 30, 2020
Knighthood requires for Steve Bruce if we sign rose and giroud!!
— tttt (@rafa201888) January 30, 2020
Think he’d top off the window nicely. Would still like us to buy Bowen 🖤
— Lee Hopkinson (@LeeHoppy16) January 30, 2020
Always rated Giroud, would love this to happen 🙏🏼⚫️⚪️
— Rich Miller〽️⚫️⚪️Nufc⚫️⚪️ (@Rich1982Miller) January 30, 2020
That would make a very good window an excellent one.
— David Mcgivern (@davemcg1) January 30, 2020
— Graeme Bell (@GraemeBell_NUFC) January 30, 2020
@Nidgemorris #dreamboat pic.twitter.com/MnV8K5R6V3
— Davey Beardsley 🧟♂️ (@daveynicnufc) January 30, 2020
In other Newcastle United news, the club are keen to sell a £40k-p/w and £30k-p/w player before Friday’s deadline.