Olivier Giroud has revealed he snubbed interest from Roma to join Chelsea in January.
Chelsea prised Giroud away from Arsenal in a deal worth as much as £18m on deadline day as Antonio Conte finally signed a target man.
Giroud became surplus to requirements at the Emirates as soon as Arsene Wenger’s side were in talks to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang but he was not short of suitors.
Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla and Roma were all interested in signing the France international but he eventually opted to remain in London and join Chelsea.
“Dortmund were interested, but only in a loan deal, while Sevilla and Roma both called my agent,” Giroud told Telefoot, via Football Italia.
“A week ago, I spoke with [France boss Didier] Deschamps because I wanted to hear his thoughts – but he did not encourage me to sign for Chelsea.”
Giroud could make his Chelsea debut in Monday’s Premier League clash away to Watford but Conte has already cast doubts whether the 31-year-old is fit enough to make his bow from the start.
With Alvaro Morata still out with a back injury, Eden Hazard may have to play as a false nine if Giroud is only selected on the bench.
However, he is arguably the best option to have from the bench as he has scored 15 Premier League goals as a substitute since August 2014, at least seven more than any other player in that period.
