Everton‘s late move for AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud was desperate and panicky, journalist Paul Brown has told GiveMeSport.
The Toffees failed to sign the former Chelsea man or anyone else in the January transfer window in a blow to new manager Sean Dyche.
Everton transfer news – Olivier Giroud
According to transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, Everton had a bid for Giroud rejected by Milan on deadline day.
With Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Neal Maupay being their only proven centre-forward options, the Toffees needed to bring in a new No.9, especially with the former’s injury problems.
However, they failed to do that in the end, so Dyche will have to make do with the two and youngster Ellis Simms.
Simms did impress during his loan spell at Sunderland, scoring seven goals in 17 Championship appearances (via Transfermarkt), so perhaps he could have a role to play in the remainder of Everton’s campaign.
What has Paul Brown said about Olivier Giroud and Everton?
Brown has slammed Everton’s unsuccessful move for Giroud and does not think he was the right man for them anyway.
Speaking to GMS, the journalist said: “He’s obviously a much older player. How much he could really have given Everton anyway you have to wonder, but it just seemed like a sort of desperate panic move to move on down the list and scrabble around for who else might still be out there and available they could get without having to pay a big fee for.
“Honestly, I don’t think Giroud would ever have been the answer. He might have been five years ago, but he isn’t now.”
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How desperate was Everton’s move for Olivier Giroud?
Very desperate. Giroud, who earns around £75,000 a week at the San Siro (via Capology), is certainly a very good striker, recently proving that at the World Cup.
He was in prolific form for France, scoring four goals in six games. Only Lionel Messi (seven) and team-mate Kylian Mbappe (eight) managed to find the back of the net on more occasions, as per BBC Sport.
His record at club level also makes for good reading. During his time in England, the ex-Chelsea and Arsenal striker registered 144 times, according to Transfermarkt.
However, with Giroud being 36 and Everton not making a move for him until the very end of the transfer window, it shows that there was little long-term planning here.
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