Arsenal are believed to have completed the signing of Olivier Giroud from Montpellier for £12 million, The Sun reports.
The highly-rated France international has shot into the European limelight by firing his club to an unexpected Ligue 1 title in 2011-12, and as such has attracted interest from a raft of big foreign clubs.
The Gunners are thought to have met the hitman’s release clause, with Giroud thought to have agreed personal terms also.
Giroud’s capture is the second attacking purchase of the summer for the north London outfit, after Lukas Podolski put pen-to-paper on a move to the Emirates Stadium.
The attacking duo’s signings have cast more doubt over the future of Arsenal captain and talisman Robin van Persie, who is in the last year of his deal with the club and has not extended his contract.
Giroud is currently on international duty with France at Euro 2012 and is in consideration to feature for Les Bleus against Sweden on Tuesday night.
By Gareth McKnight
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