Arsenal close in on Giroud signing

Arsenal are on the brink of completing a move for Montpellier striker Olivier Giroud, worth a reported 12 million pounds.

Montpellier manager Rene Girard revealed that the north London club had stepped up their interest in the 25-year-old on Wednesday, and it is now believed that Arsene Wenger is set to announce the second addition to a new-look attack with the Frenchman joining Lukas Podolski in Arsenal’s new strike force.

Arsenal were not alone in trying to secure the services of Giroud, but Girard revealed the Londoners were the front runners to sign the striker.

The Frenchman is in Laurent Blanc’s squad for Euro 2012 but was an unused substitute during Monday’s 1-1 draw with England.