Marseille believes it's leading the race to land Olivier Giroud this summer, especially following Arsenal's club-record signing of Alexandre Lacazette on Wednesday.
The Bouches-du-Rhone outfit is confident that an offer worth €28 million (£24.7 million) plus add-ons will be enough to beat other interested parties to Giroud's signature. Previously touted favourite Everton, along with West Ham United and Lacazette's former club Lyon are all apparently eyeing the 30-year-old striker.
Often unfairly maligned in England for spearheading the Gunners' supposedly flaccid strikeforce, Giroud has silenced the doubters in his homeland by regularly partnering Antoine Griezmann up front for France at Lacazette's expense. He left Ligue 1 with good memories when he signed for Arsenal, too, having scored 21 goals en route to Montpellier's historic 2011-12 title triumph.
Giroud's days at Arsenal may soon be over after collecting three FA Cups in five seasons, however. Last season, he was regularly ushered out of the starting lineup after manager Arsene Wenger reinvented Alexis Sanchez as a No. 9 to great success. The Chilean could be on his way out this summer, but the £52-million Lacazette is a natural fit at that position.
Giroud should leave fondly remembered at Arsenal, after fashioning 69 top-flight tallies and offering Wenger's side some welcome aerial presence in attack. He'll be reluctant to depart, as well, saying earlier this week: "I want to carry on my good journey at Arsenal."