Unloved Olivier Giroud stills hopes Chelsea offer him a new contract despite Sarri signing Gonzalo Higuain
The 32-year-old - who netted the winner against Malmo - will become a free agent in the summer
OLIVIER GIROUD is hopeful of Chelsea triggering his one-year contract extension.
The France striker’s deal at Stamford Bridge expires at the end of the season but the club have an option for a further season.
And Giroud, 32, will now wait before listening to lucrative pre-contract offers to leave the club after 18 months.
The World Cup winner has been free to talk to other clubs since January, but it is understood his focus has been on earning another year at Chelsea.
He has scored six goals this season but has been limited to six Premier League starts, with Gonzalo Higuain drafted in by Maurizio Sarri in January to add to competition in attack.
Most of Giroud’s opportunities have come in the Europa League and he scored in the 2-1 win over Malmo on Thursday.
But he is still expected to attract offers should Chelsea decide to release the ex-Arsenal star.
Clubs in China have shown interest in taking him to the Far East for a mega-money final big contract in his career.
He has also refused to rule out finishing his career back in France and his situation has been tracked by Lyon and Marseilles.
Montpellier gave him his breakthrough nine years ago before he was picked up by Arsene Wenger.
He learnt his trade as a youngster with Grenoble and Tours in the second tier of his homeland.