Arsenal could lose Giroud if Diego Costa goes to Chelsea

Gunners forward lined up as Atletico Madrid's replacement for Costa, as Real Madrid chase Suarez

Olivier Giroud
(Image credit: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

ACCORDING to Spanish broadcaster Cadena Cope, Atletico Madrid have accepted defeat in their battle to prevent Diego Costa moving to Chelsea in the summer and so have lined up his replacement. That man is Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud and negotiations have allegedly begun with the International Business Times claiming that Atletico's sporting director Jose Luis Perez Caminero has "scheduled a meeting" with Giroud's agent this week.

While Costa has long been linked with a move to Chelsea as a replacement for Fernando Torres the news that Atletico see Giroud as the man to fill his scoring boots will surprise many. Spanish rag AS recently reported that Atletico were considering a move for Newcastle striker Loic Remy but it appears the La Liga leaders have settled on Giroud and will "offer Arsenal £15m" in return for the Frenchman. Though Giroud, who scored one of Arsenal's goals in their 3-0 drubbing of Newcastle last night, has repeatedly said he wishes to see out his contract at the Emirates until it expires in 2016, IBT says Atletico will lure Giroud to Madrid with the offer of a substantial pay rise.

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Bill Mann is a football correspondent for The Week.co.uk, scouring the world's football press daily for the popular Transfer Talk column.