Olivier Giroud’s £4.4m-a-year contract demands could end Lyon and Marseille free transfer from Chelsea at end of season

OLIVIER GIROUD must take a pay cut to return to Ligue 1 this summer, according to reports.

The Chelsea striker is out of contract at the end of the season but is hopeful of the club triggering his one-year contract extension.

Marseille and Lyon have both been linked with Giroud, who SunSport understands earns at least £85,000 a week at Stamford Bridge, but cannot afford his wages.

Clubs in China have also shown interest in taking the forward, 32, to the Far East for a mega-money final big contract in his career.

According to , it will be “difficult” for French clubs to match his Premier League pay packet.

Giroud – who was yesterday banned from driving and fined £150,000 for speeding in his Bentley – won Ligue 1 with Monpellier in 2012 before joining Arsenal for £12million.

The French World Cup winner scored 89 Premier League goals in six-and-a-half seasons at the Emirates before signing for Chelsea in an £18m deal last January.

He has started just six Prem games all season following the arrival of Gonzalo Higuain from AC Milan in the winter transfer window.

And Giroud, who has linked up with the France squad for Euro 2020 qualifiers against Moldova and Iceland, is not content playing a bit-part role at Chelsea.

After scoring a perfect hat-trick against Dynamo Kiev in the Europa League last week, Giroud has issued a come-and-get-me plea to French club.

Giroud wants No1 spot

He told : “Of course my situation is frustrating. I clearly feel there has been no competition for first-team places since January.

“That is the way it is. I know that I will only get to play in the Europa League.

“I try to do what I can to be as efficient and important as possible for the team.

“The future could be eventful for me during the summer.

“I am not afraid to step down a level in order to get more playing time.

“It could mean me ending my career in France.

“I don’t know what the future holds in store. It is not my priority right now.

“But I will be open to all offers, as I am happy when I get to play.

“I know what has been said in France, and I am very happy that certain French clubs are interested in me.

“Lyon have been named among them, as the president has spoken about me.

“They are a club with very good players, youngsters and staff.

“I have seen them play some good Champions League games against Manchester City and Barcelona.

“They are a very good club and a big team, like others in France.

“I need to feel important once more, and to have a manager who believes in me.

“I mean no disrespect to Lyon’s current strikers, especially young Moussa Dembele – who is putting in some great displays.

“But I know that the people at Lyon are talking about certain players leaving during the summer.”