Montpellier are closing on signing a replacement for Olivier Giroud.

 

The France international striker was sold to Arsenal earlier this week after the Gunners met a release clause of €12M in the 25-year-old’s contract at the Stade de la Mosson.

 

Giroud’s departure is a big blow for the Ligue 1 champions – though they are not dwelling on the disappointment and are instead making moves to sign a new goalscorer.

 

And president delegate Laurent Nicollin has confirmed that talks are well advanced to that end.

 

"We are finalising a deal with a foreign club for the transfer of a forward", Nicollin told France radio station RMC.

 

"It takes a little bit of time, but these are the vagaries of football.

 

"I just hope that he will be with us during pre-season."

 

While the name of Montpellier’s target is not known, the player is believed to be from South America.

 

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