Chelsea have activated a clause in Olivier Giroud’s contract to extend his deal for an extra year and keep him with the club for next season, as per reports.
Maurizio Sarri had already signalled his intent to keep the France international, but the 32-year-old threw his future into doubt by complaining of a bit-part role at the club and talking up moves back to Ligue 1.
Nice, Marseille and Lyon were among those who expressed an interest in signing the frontman, who would have been available for free this summer had Chelsea not pushed to keep him.
Giroud is now well-placed to start in the upcoming Europa League final against former club Arsenal on May 29 after netting 10 goals in the competition this term.
The Blues have moved to ensure that the striker does not depart, with the uncertainty over the club’s upcoming transfer ban meaning they could not be sure of whether a replacement would be able to be brought in.
