The striker carousel turned again Wednesday with Olivier Giroud's transfer from Arsenal to Chelsea for a fee reportedly worth £17.5 million.

Giroud, who was surplus to requirements at Arsenal following the arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund, becomes Chelsea's third signing of the winter window after putting pen to paper on an 18-month contract.

(Photo courtesy: Chelsea)

Kaveh Solhekol of Sky Sports reports that Chelsea will pay Arsenal an initial fee of £15.3 million, and that the figure could possibly rise to £17.5 million based on a further £2.2 million in add-ons.

Giroud's move to Chelsea followed confirmation that outcast Michy Batshuayi has joined Dortmund on loan for the rest of the season.

The French international, who is expected to be in the stands when Chelsea takes on Bournemouth on Wednesday, will wear the No. 18 jersey for his new club.

"Chelsea is one of the biggest teams in the Premier League," Giroud said. "They have won maybe the most trophies in the last six or seven years. It’s a massive club and I am proud to sign for Chelsea, and I’m looking forward to playing."

Chelsea is understood to have made an exception for Giroud, 31, by giving him a contract that runs over a year, as the club has historically enforced a strict policy of offering one-year contracts for players over the age of 30. Roma striker Edin Dzeko appeared to be close to moving to Stamford Bridge earlier this month until he reportedly demanded a two-and-a-half-year contract.

The Blues were also previously linked to a host of Premier League forwards such as Peter Crouch of Stoke City, Sam Vokes of Burnley, Andy Carroll and Marko Arnautovic of West Ham.