Barcelona make shock move for Chelsea superstar, David de Gea makes decision on Manchester United future and more: Transfer roundup, 15 January 2019

Barcelona plotting a swoop for Olivier Giroud

Spain bound?

In order to beef up their attack and allay the goalscoring burden on the ageing Luis Suarez, Barcelona are now eyeing Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud as a potential target, as per Spanish publication Sport.

Giroud will, in fact, be out of contract at the end of the season at Chelsea and will be available for free if the Blues don't extend his contract. Barcelona have made contact with the Frenchman's entourage over a potential deal and the interest is pretty concrete.

Barca will have to cough up €15 million to sign Giroud in January. Maurizio Sarri is not expected to stand in the way of a potential deal as he has chosen to go with Hazard as the striker in recent matches as Giroud and Morata have proven to be frugal in terms of providing goals at Stamford Bridge.