Arsenal: £40 million Olivier Giroud absolute no-brainer

According to reports, Everton are considering a £40 million offer for Olivier Giroud in January. If true, it is a no-brainer; Arsenal must accept.

The modern footballing world may focus on fancy transfer fees, outrageous wages and the next big-name signing, what often determines the success, or failure, of a transfer window is the players that are sold, for the price they are sold at, and the investment that is made as a result.

Related Story: Arsenal: 30 greatest players in history

A great example of a team selling well is Chelsea. Although the bulk of their squad has, for the most part, remained the same — Cesc Fabregas, Eden Hazard, Cesar Azpilicueta, Thibault Courtois –, they have also sold several starring players for great value.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park

Oscar for north of £50 million; David Luiz for £50 million; Andre Schurle for just short of £30 million; Juan Mata for nearly £40 million. These are all examples of the smart, astute sales that Chelsea have masterminded throughout the years, the majority of which have been successful. And this summer they have continued that trend: Nemanja Matic and Diego Costa for a combined fee of nearly £100 million. That is something that Arsenal have failed to do.

In fact, just this past summer, there were many examples of their inability to sell well. Both Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, players worth north of £50 million in a vacuum, could be set to leave the club for nothing in a year thanks to a contract crisis; Wojciech Szczesny was sold for £10 million — Ederson and Jordan Pickford were signed for £35 million and £30 million respectively –; a £10 million bid for Kieran Gibbs was initially rejected, before being sold later in the window for £7 million. That is just poor management at every level.

Having said that, Arsenal still have players that are attracting interest from other clubs, players that are automatic starters and could be sold without having a massively detrimental effect on the side.

One of those players is Olivier Giroud, who has been usurped by club-record signing Alexandre Lacazette as the starting lone striker and was close to leaving in the summer, as he admitted himself recently. And with Everton desperate for a traditional number nine to replace Romelu Lukaku, reports have surfaced suggesting that they are readying a £40 million January offer for the Frenchman.

Now, I am a fan of Giroud. Although a limited player, he has a unique set of skills that few other players can replicate. He is an excellent squad member to have, turning to him late in games when a foal is needed, and he is of great character, loyal to the club and desperate to win.

Next: Arsenal: Predicted FIFA 18 player ratings

But there is no way in hell that he is worth anything near £40 million. In all honesty, I would take £25 million for him. If any such offer is forthcoming, then Arsenal should jump at the opportunity. Giroud is a good and useful player, but he is a £40-million player.