OGC NICE boss Patrick Vieira has given the green light for the club to sign Olivier Giroud this summer.
The Frenchman was braced for the exit door until Maurizio Sarri confirmed plans to exercise a clause in his contract and trigger a one-year contract extension.
Giroud, 32, has been frustrated with a lack of game time having made just seven Premier League starts.
Nice, sitting seventh in Ligue 1, want to take advantage and lure him to France to see out the final few years of his career.
Former Arsenal player Giles Grimandi and Nice’s technical director, has confirmed the club have held talks to land him this summer.
Speaking to Canal Football, he said: “If Olivier Giroud decides to come that is because he likes the project at OGC Nice. If Olivier is not happy at Chelsea, if he wants to play, we will take all the elements into account.
“I have spoken with Patrick [Vieira] about Olivier Giroud, but we have not spoken with Olivier Giroud.”
Grimandi and Giroud know each other well after the former helped secure his switch from Montpellier to Arsenal in 2012.
He added: “Olivier I know him very well. Very well because I was involved in his transfer from Montpellier to Arsenal. Olivier will choose his destination.
“For the moment I have not spoken to him. If Olivier Giroud decides to come to OGC Nice it is because he knows the means that we have.”
The striker has been crucial to Chelsea’s Europa League campaign having scored on 10 occasions.
He has shared his frustrations over his lack of minutes on the field and demanded he become first choice if the club want him to stay.
Giroud said: “Trust me, I am very frustrated when I am not on the pitch but I don’t want to show it.
“I am not happy to play second choice so that’s why I have said next year I will need to have a more important role.
“I want to be the first choice. They must talk to me before the end of the season.”
