Olivier Giroud has said he was “very close” to joining Everton this summer but is happy he decided to stay at Arsenal.
Giroud had the option to leave Arsenal after Arsene Wenger broke the club’s transfer record to buy fellow France striker Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon.
“I had the opportunity to leave. I was very close to another English club — Everton — but I think I made the best choice,” Giroud told Canal Football Club ahead of Tuesday’s final World Cup qualifier against Belarus.
“I have a lot of respect for Marseille, I was a fan for years,” Giroud said. “”I also have a lot of respect for Lyon, who were also interested at one time. I didn’t want to return to France. I’m happy in England, it’s nothing against those clubs. But a return to France is possible one day.”
France can seal a spot at next summer’s World Cup by beating Belarus on Tuesday.
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