Major League Soccer giants LAFC are in negotiations to sign iconic French striker Olivier Giroud from AC Milan this summer transfer window.
The potential move for the veteran figure who’s scored countless amounts of goals for the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Montpellier comes after the Black and Gold have been unable to resign club legend Carlos Vela, who remains a free agent after recent talks with San Jose Earthquakes.
Vela played mainly as a striker last season for LAFC, but now Mateusz Bogusz has stepped up early on this season to fill in as a center-forward with one goal in four appearances.
Giroud’s contract with the Italian giants expires this summer and the proposed deal would see the 37-year-old suit up for the 2022 MLS Cup champions this summer, according to David Ornstein of The Athletic. Ornstein also notes that LAFC aren’t the only club interested in Giroud, meaning they could face stiff competition to lure him to BMO Stadium.
Another key point to note is that Giroud wouldn’t be the only frenchman at LAFC with World Cup winning shot-stopper Hugo Lloris already at the club. Lloris, who retired from the French national team in January of 2023, made the move to MLS this January after spending over a decade with Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur and could play a vital role in LAFC obtaining Giroud’s signature this summer.
LAFC have struggled in the early goings of the 2024 MLS campaign with just one win from four games played. Steve Cherundolo’s side sit in 10th place in the Western Conference table with four points having last won on opening day on February 24 vs Seattle Sounders 2-1.
The Black and Gold hope to end their winless run of three games when they take on Nashville SC in a late-night clash this Saturday at BMO Stadium.
