The transfer triangle between Chelsea, Arsenal, and Borrusia Dortmund looks set to conclude amicably to everyone’s satisfaction, it would appear. After 24 hours of stops and starts and confusion, it looks like Chelsea will get their man (Giroud), Arsenal will get theirs (Aubameyang), and BVB will get theirs as well (Batshuayi).
Chelsea set to sign Giroud for £18m #cfc #afc https://t.co/rkJioBbTXp
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) January 30, 2018
All but the latter are expected to be permanent moves, with Chelsea re-agreeing a transfer around £18m. It’s unknown if BVB have an option to make Batshuayi’s loan permanent, though that’s not really something Chelsea like to do. An option for an additional year on loan could conceivably be included however.
Michy Batshuayi has a personal agreement with Dortmund and everything’s settled between the clubs too. If Giroud is done (and that seems so), he’s gone. #freemichy #cfc pic.twitter.com/S1yFettL5P
— Kristof Terreur (@HLNinEngeland) January 30, 2018
Further details regarding contract lengths and any other considerations are sure to follow in the coming hours, with Giroud’s age (31), putting him in the territory of no-multi-year contracts as per club policy. His Arsenal contract was set to expire next season, so Chelsea will surely match that length, at least initially. The center forward has left Swansea, where Arsenal are playing tonight, to travel back to London and complete this transfer.
As reported elsewhere, fee in the region of £18m agreed between Arsenal and Chelsea for Giroud. Player has left team hotel in Swansea to head to London.
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) January 30, 2018
Giroud's exit will facilitate Batshuayi's move to #BVB and Aubameyang's transfer to #AFC.