West Ham United to swoop for Chelsea striker?

West Ham United are ready to compete with AC Milan for the signature of Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud this summer.

Giroud's contract with the Blues expires on June 30, and he has no desire to extend his stay due to the lack of game time.

He has been heavily linked with a move to AC Milan, who recently qualified for the Champions League with a top-four finish.

However, the Hammers are prepared to offer competition, and are optimistic of convincing him to join them, Calciomercato claims.

Giroud has spent the past nine years in the English capital with Arsenal and Chelsea, and he could favour staying in the city.

It was his main reason for joining the Blues when he left the Gunners in 2018, and it remains to be seen whether the Hammers can entice him.

The Hammers will be playing in the group stage of the Europa League for the first time after their sixth-placed league finish.

They have just one specialist striker in the squad in Michail Antonio, who has been injury-prone over the past few seasons.