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Striker Giroud has admitted he almost joined Everton in the summer
The Frenchman was heavily linked with a departure from the Emirates
Giroud opted to stay at Arsenal despite the arrival of Alexandre Lacazette

Published: 18:49 EDT, 26 December 2017 | Updated: 04:51 EDT, 27 December 2017

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Sam Allardyce does not plan to make a fresh move for Arsenal's Olivier Giroud in the January transfer window as the Everton boss seeks to bolster his strikeforce.

The Frenchman has admitted he came very close to signing for the Toffees in the summer to fill the space vacated by Romelu Lukaku following his £75million switch to Manchester United.

But Giroud opted to stay in London and Allardyce revealed his wife had played a key role in the decision.

Everton boss Sam Allardyce does not plan to make a fresh move for Arsenal's Olivier Giroud

'As far as I know he doesn't want to move north of Watford, well his wife doesn't want to anyway,' he told the Liverpool Echo.

'It's very important to the wives, believe you me. Normally they are the bosses.'

Giroud admitting he was 'very close' to joining Everton in the summer.

The France international was heavily linked with an Emirates departure and looked to be on the verge of calling time on his Gunners career.

Striker Giroud has admitted he came 'very close' to joining Everton in the summer

Giroud's situation was made all the more precarious following the arrival of record signing Alexandre Lacazette, with his international team-mate arriving to take his place in the squad.

Everton pushed hard to recruit Giroud and fill the space up front vacated by Romelu Lukaku following his switch to Manchester United.

But the Frenchman opted to remain in London - a decision which he now maintains he is happy with.

'I had the opportunity to leave. I was very close to another English club - Everton - but I think I made the best choice,' Giroud told French broadcasters Canal Football Club prior to Tuesday's final World Cup qualifier against Belarus.