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Sources: West Ham set sights on signing attacker in January with 124 PL-club goals
West Ham are interested in signing Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud in January, Football Insider understands.
Manuel Pellegrini is eager to strengthen his attack in the winter window as the Hammers look to recruit two new players who can slot into their first team set-up.
A West Ham source has told Football Insider that Giroud, 33, is a firm target for the club and will be on their striker shortlist for January.
The France international, 33, is growing frustrated with his fringe role at Stamford Bridge, starting just two matches in all competitions this season.
He is eager to play regularly at club level to keep his place in the France squad ahead of Euro 2020 next summer.
A loan move is more realistic for West Ham than a permanent transfer at this stage, given that Giroud’s Chelsea salary would represent a major hurdle to a deal.
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Hammers director of football Mario Husillos is leading the search for January reinforcements and is preparing a list of targets for Pellegrini.
The club are keen to bring in a centre-forward with a proven track record and a centre-back who would also not require a lengthy bedding-in period.
Giroud fits the bill for West Ham, after demonstrating his goalscoring calibre during eight seasons in the Premier League.
The 94-times France international has scored 124 goals from 322 matches for Arsenal and Chelsea, with 78 of those strikes coming in the Premier League.
West Ham signed six players during the summer and also offloaded a number of high-earning players, most notably Marko Arnautovic, Andy Carroll, Samir Nasri, Javier Hernandez, Adrian and Lucas Perez.
In other West Ham news, it can be exclusively REVEALED that the club are plotting a January player exchange with West Brom.