Why Olivier Giroud Can Be A Better Option For Everton Instead Of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Everton are reportedly lining up a January move for Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Toffees are in a decent place right now, having just broken into the top 10 after a nasty relegation scare a few weeks back.
With new manager Sam Allardyce at the helm of things, they are showing signs of encouragement but to continue this and secure a higher position towards the end of the season, the Toffees could use some reinforcements.
With that in mind, Allardyce is understood to be eyeing Aubameyang. Ever since Romelu Lukaku departed Merseyside to join Manchester United, the club have been starved of a goalscorer at the front. The void left by the towering Belgian did eat at their chances and cost them points but if they bring in Aubameyang, will it be a good choice?
It must be noted that Everton were aggressively linked with a move for Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud a few months back. Interestingly, the report suggests that the Toffees were considering the Montpellier striker as a replacement for Aubameyang, who was expected to say no to the idea of moving to Everton. In that light, perhaps Allardyce should continue with his interest in Giroud instead of making a move for Aubameyang.
Giroud, who has scored 104 goals for Arsenal, is a good striker and boasts of skilful finishing but he lacks pace. However, that is an attribute he seems to have worked on which was quite evident in the last couple of goals he scored for Arsenal in recent times.
That said, he has fallen down the pecking order ever since Alexandre Lacazette arrived. One cannot blame Arsene Wenger for this decision but it can be deemed necessary for Giroud to seek out his options and consider moving to another club.
On the flipside, he can be the ideal solution to give a push to Everton’s ambitions this season. After all, he has reached double figures in terms of scoring goals for Arsenal quite consistently and his experience could prove to be a real game-changer for the Toffees.
And then there is also the matter of price. Aubameyang is valued at around £60million whereas the club can get Giroud for something in the range of £20million. Moreover, considering the way Dominic Calvert-Lewin has improved under Allardyce, he could link up well with Giroud to provide pace and sharpness to the attack.
Hence, instead of spending an exorbitant amount to bring one striker with no prior Premier League experience to a club that is in desperate need of proven quality at the front, Everton are likely to benefit if they choose to sign Giroud and retain Calvert-Lewin at the front.