Olivier Giroud opens up over summer interest with Arsenal set for hectic end to window

Olivier Giroud has reiterated his lack of interest in returning to France as Arsenal enter a crucial final 48 hours of the transfer window.

The striker was a target for Marseille earlier in the window but opted to reject their advances in favour of stacking his claim for a first-team spot at the Emirates Stadium.

With Manchester City stepping up their long-standing interest in Alexis Sanchez, in a deal which could include Raheem Sterling, ahead of Thursday's transfer deadline, Giroud underlined his commitment to staying in north London.

"I did not refuse Marseille," Giroud told Telefoot. "I simply said to the boss when I was on the phone with him... He wanted to know if I was interested or not in the Marseille project.

"I have always said that returning to France was not an option for me, even less so in the short-term future. So it was not something against Marseille, because the project is very ambitious and very interesting.

"It was not specifically about Marseille, because I also had Lyon. I am very flattered to have been chased by two great French clubs."