Arsenal 'want to keep Olivier Giroud' claims Lyon president as they end interest in striker

Lyon have ended their pursuit of Olivier Giroud, claiming Arsenal want to keep the striker.

The Ligue 1 outfit completed the signing of Chelsea forward Bertrand Traore for £8.8million on Monday, signalling the end of their interest in Giroud.

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas had previously confirmed talks had taken place with Giroud, though the striker still retained hope of being the Gunners' first-choice striker next season.

"Arsenal want to keep [Giroud]," Aulas told reporters at Traore's unveiling. "We don’t want to stockpile forwards."

Giroud is understood to be a target for West Ham, with a £20m price tag previously being placed on the 30-year-old's head.

Aulas said on Saturday: "He told me personally that he wanted to take his time, that things were not completely defined with Arsenal, that he had a secret hope that he would be the number one striker next season.

"The key is Arsene Wenger. We are watching. We will try to very quickly sign a top European attacker."