L’Equipe have a big feature in their Monday edition playing Olivier Giroud and Mario Balotelli against each other as options for Marseille’s new striker.
The French club seem to have been looking for a star man to head their attack since their takeover, and despite endless links it’s never happened.
Balotelli has spent the summer being linked with a move to Marseille and with his Nice contract only having a year left there’s thought to be an agreement he can leave for around €10m.
Added to that would be Mino Raiola’s agent costs and high wages.
Chelsea’s Giroud is the alternative.
It’s explained that the Frenchman moved from Arsenal for around €20m in the January transfer window and ‘it’s difficult to imagine’ he’d cost less than €15m.
That would suggest L’Equipe believe the striker could be available for as little as such an amount, which seems on the low side.
Chelsea would surely be looking to make their money back and given Giroud is now a World Cup winner he comes with some added lustre, especially for a French club.
For L’Equipe, it’s advantage Giroud.
