CHELSEA will fight to keep Olivier Giroud after talks with Juventus stalled.
The France striker, 34, also being eyed by West Ham and AC Milan, is unhappy at Juve reportedly offering only a six-month contract.
Blues boss Frank Lampard also has the option of fending off Giroud's many admirers and handing him a new one-year contract in the summer.
The Italian media claim Juventus believe the Frenchman's guile can help main man Cristiano Ronaldo revive their bid for a tenth straight Serie A title.
But Tuttosport suggest there are two major stumbling blocks to a move.
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Firstly, ex-Arsenal targetman Giroud wants far more security than a deal until the end of the season – ideally a contract until the summer of 2022.
And secondly, Lampard is reluctant to offload his most consistent scorer, even though he is confident summer buy Timo Werner will soon settle down in the Premier League.
It's also claimed Giroud is now reasonably content at Stamford Bridge, even if he is still not playing quite as much as he would like.
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West Ham have been the bookies' favourites this week to land the World Cup winner.
Hammers' boss David Moyes is prioritising a replacement for Ajax new boy Sebastien Haller.
Giroud's main worry is earning enough game-time to make Didier Deschamps's squad for this summer's Euros.
And he admitted last month that Deschamps had hinted his spot would be in doubt unless his match sharpness was clear.
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