Olivier Giroud has emerged as an alternative target to Edin Dzeko (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea are focusing their efforts on a move for Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud as hopes of signing Edin Dzeko from Roma continue to fade.

The reigning Premier League champions identified Dzeko, 31, as a top target with Antonio Conte determined to bolster his attacking options during the January transfer window.

Dzeko, who won two Premier League titles at Manchester City, has scored 62 goals in 118 games for Roma and is viewed as an ideal target man as Alvaro Morata suffers a dip in form.

But Sky Sports say a move for the Bosnian is now ‘unlikely’, with Chelsea now turning their attentions fully to Giroud, who is struggling for game-time at the Emirates.




Having only started one Premier League game for the Gunners this season, Giroud may be open to a switch as he looks to keep his place in the France national squad ahead of next summer’s World Cup in Russia.

But Arsene Wenger reiterated on Friday that he would only sanction Giroud’s departure if the club signed a forward. Arsenal are hoping to bring Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to north London.

Antonio Conte is desperate for Chelsea to strengthen his squad (Picture: Getty)

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Speaking earlier in the week, Roma sporting director Monchi said the club were open to offers for Dzeko – but were yet to receive an acceptable bid.

‘At this moment I don’t like the offers that we have received, so we do not take them into consideration,’ he said.

‘All the clubs in the world listen to the offers that come, we are ready to listen and then decide. Now Edin is here and we are happy. This means that what arrived [bids] was not good.’

Chelsea have been warned, meanwhile, that missing out on more targets will put Conte’s future at the club in serious jeopardy.

Former Italy boss Conte was left underwhelmed by the Blues’ transfer business last summer and Matt Le Tissier told Sky Sports: ‘I think they are in trouble in terms of the top four – it will be very tight.

Chelsea are struggling to make a breakthrough in talks for Dzeko (Picture: Getty)

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‘I think Spurs have had their dodgy spell for the season and will challenge Chelsea all the way.

‘Antonio Conte doesn’t look like a man loving his job and if he doesn’t get his way in terms of strengthening the squad then I could see a parting of ways.

‘In terms of a back-up striker, Dzeko is as good as any out there, averaging a goal every 1.5 games over the last 18 months.’

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