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Everton are set to miss out on Olivier Giroud with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insisting that the striker will stay at the Emirates and fight for his place report the Mirror.

The Blues have made the 30-year-old target man a leading target this summer as they search for a 'like-for-like' replacement for Romelu Lukaku who joined Manchester United for £75million plus add-ons after four years at Goodison.

With his physical presence and Premier League pedigree, Giroud is viewed as the ideal candidate and it had been suggested that he might have become surplus to requirements with the Gunners following the arrival of his French compatriot Alexandre Lacazette for £52million.

(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Everton looked to be in pole position for Giroud's signature with Borussia Dortmund pulling out of the race by insisting that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was staying with them while Marseille head coach Rudi Garcia declared to fans of his own club: “Don’t dream, he will not be coming.”

However, Wenger's latest remarks could prove a crushing blow to the Blues hopes of landing the player.

Following a 3-0 defeat to London neighbours Chelsea in Beijing, the Arsenal manager said: “Giroud fancies the competition. As a manager, you have him on your back, wanting to play.

“He fights hard, you know. I like the way he responds to what’s happening. He is focused and determined and showed that on this tour.”