AC Milan striker Giroud: Lazio was close -Tare met me at Heathrow

Posted Friday, July 08, 2022 by Tribalfootball.com

AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud admits a move to Inter Milan could've happened two years ago.

Giroud says in 2020 a switch from Chelsea to Tottenham was also considered.

"At that time, I was not getting regular playing time at Chelsea, I was the third-choice striker, so I tried to find a solution with Frank Lampard," he said during a press conference.

"I couldn't remain in that situation. I wanted to leave, but Lampard told me that he needed a replacement.

"He promised me that I would have had more chances and gave me the opportunity to do so, I think I scored eight goals in the final ten games of the season, thank God we qualified for the Champions League.

"At that time, Italian clubs were very interested," the striker continued.

"At one point, Inter told me that they no longer had money to sign me. I had done everything to leave, I also met Lazio's sporting director Igli Tare, a gentleman, he came to Heathrow airport just to meet me."

He added: "I was so desperate to leave that I even told (Frank) Lampard that I'd have joined Tottenham because I knew that José Mourinho wanted me.

"In the end, I think it would have been difficult because I had played for Arsenal. Destiny wanted me to be here, wearing the Rossoneri shirt."