Stoke City midfielder Charlie Adam, who was taking part as a pundit in BBC Radio 5Live’s deadline-day countdown, believes that Olivier Giroud was unable to complete the move to Everton due to his wife’s refusal to move.
Giroud was at the top of Everton’s wish list this summer and after Arsenal signed fellow Frenchman Alexandre Lacazett from Lyon, it seemed only a matter of “when” rather than “if”, Giroud would be moving away from the Emirates Stadium.
Everton seemed the ideal destination for Giroud and it was reported that they were on the verge of signing the Frenchman. The Toffees were said to be close to finalizing a move for the 30-year-old and both parties had reportedly agreed on the terms of the contract but the transfer evidently did not come into fruition.
It was believed that the 30-year-old did not move due to his desire to stay put at Arsenal but now in sensational claims from Stoke City midfielder Charlie Adam, he has claimed that the player’s wife decided that Merseyside was not an ideal destination for the couple and as a result, the transfer was cancelled.
Speaking about the striker’s failed move to Everton, Adam told BBC 5Live listeners, “I heard his partner refused the deal. The deal was nearly done, and he wanted to come, but I heard it was his girlfriend or wife that turned it down.”
The big forward rarely got a started for Arsenal last season and was mainly used as an impact substitute. Despite the reduced role, Giroud managed to get regular goals for the Gunners –scoring 12 goals in just 1194 minutes in the Premier League, at a rate of 0.90 goals every 90 minutes.
Even though his goal return is very impressive, the French international has failed to establish himself as a key figure since his move from Montpellier and has had to tolerate regular criticism from certain sections of the Arsenal fan base.
Following the signing of Lacazette however, it looked certain that Giroud would be playing second fiddle to ex-Lyon man and was understandably said to be keen a move to Everton. However, the striker will now stay at Arsenal for one more season.
Olivier and Jennifer Giroud have been married since 2011 and they together have two children, a son and a daughter.
