Wenger: "Giroud deal almost complete"

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that the club is close to completing a deal for Olivier Giroud. The Gunners are reportedly willing to shell out a transfer fee in the region of £13million for the French striker.

The 25-year-old striker, who is currently on international duty for France in the Euros, attracted attention from some of the biggest clubs in Europe after scoring 25 goals and assisting 9 others in 43 appearances for Montpellier last season. Decent performances at the club earned him a debut for Les Bleus in November 2011 against Belgium and was eventually selected in the French squad for the Euros. Wenger told TF1:

“Giroud didn’t play much in the Euros, but he’s going to be an Arsenal player 90 per cent next season. I think he has exceptional potential and will integrate very well in our collective and our way of playing.

“He’s a real team player and knows how to combine with other players and I’m sure he will do well with us.”

The Frenchman was also left impressed by the performances of his latest acquisition Lukas Podolski at the Euros. He added:

“Podolski did a great job for the German team, he has superb team work. He plays in a cautious way sometimes, but he’s still scored a very important goal against Denmark for his 100th cap.”I am very happy with what I’ve seen from him.”

Meanwhile, reports suggest that Wenger has also made a bid for Czech Republic right-back Theodor Gebre Selassie who plays for the Gambrinus liga side FC Slovan Liberec.