Reports from Italy have revealed why AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud rejected an opportunity to return to the Premier League with Fulham despite an offer of an 18-month contract from Marco Silva’s side.
The 37-year-old former Arsenal and Chelsea striker is still an essential player in the squad. He reportedly had an offer from the Premier League outfit until the end of the 2024-25 season. However, he opted against leaving San Siro as he still hopes to lift the Europa League trophy with Milan at the end of the season.
According to Calciomercato., Giroud, who is now into the final months of his current contract with the Rossoneri, which expires at the end of the 2023-24 campaign, had previously agreed to a one-year extension in May 2023 with reported wages of €3.5m plus bonuses.
The Frenchman is Milan’s leading goalscorer this season. He has scored 12 goals from 27 games across all competitions. He also emerged as the Rossoneri’s leading goalscorer in all competitions in 2022-23 with 18, but not in Serie A, where Rafael Leao had notched 15 from the wing.
Giroud’s agent, Vincenzo Morabito, revealed that money is no longer a real issue for the player but still determines where he will play football next season.
Giroud and Milan have yet to hold official talks over another extension.
There are suggestions that teams in MLS, as well as in his native France, are monitoring the situation and could be poised to make an offer in the coming months.
Morabito feels the second part of the season will be ‘decisive’ for the striker’s contract extension.
He further stated that the 2018 World Cup winner feels well at Milan but must also consider his family.
“He gave up money from Saudi Arabia because he is not too interested in money and has an important contract, but I think we have to wait. In the meantime, he’ll give his all for Milan,” he told Calciomercato.com.