Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has revealed that Bayern Munich were interested in signing him before he joined Arsenal. Apparently, the move came to nothing as the Bavarian club wanted to watch the Euro Championships first. Apparently during the tournament, the club’s head was turned by the performances of Mario Mandzukic, and decided to go for the Croatian instead.
It’s an interesting line, and Giroud seeks to add credence to it by stating that although he never had direct contact with Bayern, his agent did, and that the club has validated the claim. The story is quoted in The Sun, and makes interesting reading as to the machinations involved in transfers, and the smoke and mirrors speculation that surrounds them. For instance, it seems strange that although Mandzukic had turned out over 50 times for Wolfsburg, in Germany, netting 20 goals, Bayern Munich were more convinced by a handful of games in the Euros, than the evidence of their own eyes during the previous season or so. This is of course all entirely plausible but does look a little strange to read in cold hard terms.
Giroud has had an interesting season at The Emirates since his move from Montpellier. Although scoring seventeen times, this has come across all competitions and his selection at the head of Arsenal’s front line has hardly been automatic. It’s always a difficult transition for players to make when they arrive in the Premier League, and there’s plenty of time for the Frenchman to develop into the front man that Wenger doubtless sees in him.
It could be construed that the statements about Bayern, and the timing of their release may have had more to do with bolstering Giroud’s standing both in football in general, and his club in particular. Next season will be a big one for the Frenchman. He’ll need to demonstrate that he’s the sort of player that Bayern would have been interested in, rather than merely say it.
Source: DSG
