Fiorentina are interested in signing Olivier Giroud as the French striker faces a tough decision whether to stay and fight for his place in Chelsea’s expensively-remodelled forward line.
Lazio also hope to take Giroud to Serie A but the 33-year-old, who had been a fringe figure for much of the season, has been a regular for Chelsea since February and signed a one-year contract extension in May.
However, Chelsea have already bought Timo Werner, the second highest scorer in this season's Bundesliga, from RB Leipzig for £47.5 million (Dh222m) and winger Hakim Ziyech from Ajax.
They are also interested in Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz, who could cost up to £90 million and who could complete a new first-choice attack.
While Willian is expected to join Pedro in leaving when his contract expires at the end of the season, manager Frank Lampard can also call upon top scorer Tammy Abraham, the in-form Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount and Callum Hudson-Odoi for spots in his front three.
Giroud almost left after being omitted and subsequently admitted he “did everything” to get a move in January, when Inter Milan wanted him, but Chelsea’s inability to find a replacement ensured he stayed at Stamford Bridge.
Since then, he has displaced Abraham and has scored five goals in his last six games, including strikes against Manchester United and Liverpool this week.
But the World Cup winner’s original desire to go in winter was prompted in part by his determination to retain his place in the France team for Euro 2020.
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Liverpool v Chelsea ratings
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LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson - 6: Other than a save to deny Willian the only other time the Brazilian touched the ball was picking it out of his net three times. AFP -
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 8: If there is a finer striker of the ball in the Premier League he's being well hidden. Scored an exquisite free kick and also registered his 12th league assist of the campaign. AFP -
Joe Gomez - 6: Engineered plenty of attacks from the back but a lack of communication with his partner Van Dijk resulted in them both on the deck and Chelsea scoring a third goal. AFP -
Virgil van Dijk - 6: Given how brilliant he has been over the past two seasons the Dutchman's shortcomings over the past three games can easily be forgiven. EPA -
Andrew Robertson - 8: Never happier than being part of Liverpool's attacks down the left. Ran the length of the field before supplying the cross for Liverpool's fifth. Reuters -
Fabinho - 7: The ball sticks to the Brazilian as if he has glue on his boots. AFP -
Naby Keita - 9: Got the fireworks started at Anfield with a rocket of a goal and was a constant thorn in Chelsea's side. AFP -
Georginio Wijnaldum - 7: Cracked in Liverpool's third and kept things ticking in midfield. -
Sadio Mane - 7: Some of the Senegalese forward's control was simply mesmeric at times. EPA -
Mohamed Salah - 6: Wayward with his finishing but always a threat. Reuters -
Roberto Firmino - 8: Finally broke his Anfield duck with a superb header and displayed some beautiful lay-offs for his teammates. AFP -
SUBS: James Milner (on for Wijnaldum, 66') - 6: Solid as per from Mr Versatile.. Reuters -
Curtis Jones (on for Keita, 66') - 7: Covered plenty of ground and a fifth appearance of the season means he qualifies for a Premier League winner's medal. Reuters -
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (on for Salah, 79') - 6: Fresh and fast legs to get on the end of Robertson's cross to score Liverpool's fifth. Reuters -
Takumi Minamino (on for Firmino, 87') - NA: Brought on to eat up the clock. AFP -
Divock Origi (on for Mane, 87') - NA: Ran the channels well in what little time he had. EPA -
CHELSEA RATINGS: Kepa Arrizabalaga - 5: Conceded five but in fairness to the Spaniard he didn't stand a chance with any of them. Reuters -
Cesar Azpilicueta - 6: Struggled to contain Mane and had a few run-ins with the Liverpool attacker. Reuters -
Kurt Zouma - 6: Made a timely intervention to deny Salah when through on goal in the second half. AFP -
Antonio Rudiger - 6: The German was one of the most dominant centre-backs in the league pre-lockdown. Has struggled to recapture that form since the restart. EPA -
Reece James - 7: Showed Alexander-Arnold isn't the only English right-back who can deliver quality balls into the box. EPA -
Marcos Alonso - 6: Spanish wing-back looked better going towards Liverpool's goal than back towards his own. Reuters -
Jorginho - 7: A quality passing display from Chelsea's midfield metronome. AFP -
Mateo Kovacic - 6: Right to feel aggrieved after replays showed he won the ball in a tussle with Mane but was penalised for a foul. Alexander-Arnold banged in the free-kick and Chelsea were always chasing the game from that moment. AFP -
Mason Mount - 5: Wasted two opportunities to supply Giroud in the first half from promising positions. Made way in the second half and Chelsea improved as a result. AFP -
Willian - 6: The Brazilian had a quiet game by his standards and his usually assured touch deserted him when presented with a chance in the first half. PA -
Olivier Giroud - 7: Attacked every ball with gusto and showed excellent reactions to force home Chelsea's first after Alisson's initial save from Willian. EPA -
SUBS: Tammy Abraham (on for Giroud, 59') - 6: Took his goal well to reduce the arrears. Reuters -
Christian Pulisic (on for Mount, 59') - 8: The American terrorised Liverpool's defence, assisting for Abraham's goal and then slamming home Chelsea's third. Could have had another soon after but finish was poor. Reuters -
Callum Hudson-Odoi (on for Willian, 59) - 7: Another of the Chelsea troika introduced on the hour who made an impact, crossing for his fellow winger for Chelsea's third. Reuters -
Emerson (on for Alonso, 88') - NA: No time to make an impact. Reuters
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That has now been postponed for a year but it offers him the same imperative to get first-team football to remain Didier Deschamps’ first-choice striker.
Giroud is France’s third-highest scorer, and has set his sights on overhauling second-placed Michel Platini, while he only needs three more caps to bring up a century.
Fiorentina have lacked a regular scorer this season, with Dusan Vlahovic and Federico Chiesa leading the way with just six in Serie A, though they did sign Italy international Patrick Cutrone from Wolves in January.
In contrast, Lazio have benefited from the prolific Ciro Immobile, who has been challenging Cristiano Ronaldo for the title of Capocannoniere as both have reached 30 Serie A goals for the season, but they have lacked much back up for the target man. They should be able to offer Champions League football next season whereas Fiorentina will not be in Europe.
Giroud told Canal Plus this week that he is galvanised by the impending arrival of Werner. "Of course it boosts and motivates us as strikers," he said. "We try to make a coach's decisions difficult – I am taking it as a positive thing."
But he faces a choice whether to risk another season as a deputy, even if Lampard, who initially chose not to play with a target man, has been won over by the veteran.
The Chelsea manager said last week: “He's never given me a problem, he’s always trained brilliantly. When Tammy was playing well earlier in the season and regularly staying in the team, his professionalism was always good.
“I told him in January I wanted him to stay, and he was fantastic how he handled that. He’s continued to be that in the way he trains and the way he plays is important for us.”
