AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud says it would be ‘nice’ if Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech joined him at the Italian club.
Ziyech joined Chelsea in a £33.3m deal from Ajax last year but struggled to make an impact particularly after Thomas Tuchel took over from Frank Lampard as manager in January.
Reports have claimed that the Blues would be open to selling the Morocco international, while AC Milan have registered their interest in him.
And Giroud, who played alongside Ziyech at Stamford Bridge last campaign before making the move to Serie A this summer window, is keen to link back up with the midfielder.
When asked about the possibility of Ziyech also joining him at AC Milan before the end of the transfer window, Giroud said on Monday: ‘Ziyech is a great player.
‘We have had a great connection even though we have played few games together. ‘He has a top left foot, has experience and he is very good technically. It would be nice to play with him again.’
Giroud also revealed he stepped up his push to leave the London club when he learned about their intention to sign a new striker this summer.
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‘I have always said that when I was little I had the dream of playing in the Premier League but I think it was time to discover a new culture and a new country,’ said Giroud.
‘Milan was the best option for me and I am grateful to be able to wear the Rossoneri colours. I’m happy to be here. ‘My time at Chelsea was over also because the manager wanted to play with other players, spending a lot of money in the transfer market.
‘There I realised I had to leave the club and I received a great welcome from Maldini. I’m a Christian and I think God wanted me to move to Milan this season and not Inter the last one and I’m happy with that.’