Arsenal are close to agreeing a deal to sign France striker Olivier Giroud, a move which will increase speculation that Robin van Persie will leave this summer.

Giroud was a sensation for Montpellier last season, scoring 25 goals as his side won the league title and joins Germany’s Lukasz Podolski in what could be a new-look strikeforce at the Emirates.

Giroud, who is rated at £13m by his club, is a goal poacher with an excellent left foot and his arrival points to Van Persie leaving the club after eight seasons.

Close to a move: Olivier Giroud should complete a move to Arsenal this summer

Giroud, who played for Grenoble and Tours, before joining, Montpellier, was on the bench for France last night in Donetsk.

Manchester City and Juventus are keen to sign the Dutchman, who was voted PFA Players’ Player of the Year and Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year last season after scoring 37 goals last season.

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