Arsenal Transfer News: Why Olivier Giroud Won't Be Making a Move to the Emirates

Just in case the summer transfer window couldn't have gone any worse for Arsenal, Olivier Giroud won't be making a move to the Emirates this summer—leaving the Gunners' situation with Robin van Persie even more critical for their future next season.

Giroud has been linked several times with a potential move to the club, and the Gunners appeared to be the favorites to land the striker after Euro 2012.

That situation appears to have changed dramatically now that Malaga has joined with the party, with Spain's new money almost certain to secure the services of Giroud next year. Malaga sees him as the man to replace Ruud van Nistelrooy, who recently retired from the club.

The obvious question is: what can Malaga offer than Arsenal can't?

And the simple answer is money. Malaga can offer more money.

While they might have been tactful in their purchases, the Spanish club has spent far more than the Gunners would even contemplate spending this summer—spending more on players than the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Last season, Barcelona had a net spending of approximately €8.25million; Real Madrid had a net spending much higher, around €40million. Yet combined, the two still fell well short of Malaga, who spend almost €60million acquiring players, thanks to the financial backing of the Qatar Royal Family.

Thus, when Malaga enters the bidding war with Arsenal over the services of Giroud, they are going to win. Arsenal can offer the prestige and history; Malaga can offer more money and the chance to perform against Spain's elite.

Montpellier, Giroud's current club, aren't foolish—they will understand the situation that's in front of them and will know that they can get an offer well over £10million for the striker. 

Unfortunately for the Gunners, this would all but price them out of the market.

And Malaga will win.

Giroud is a favorite of Arsene Wenger, and he will desperately want to secure his services for the next few seasons. However, short of something extraordinary, Wenger won't be able to pick up the striker with the money available to spend—especially considering his previous indication that he won't spend big during the summer transfer window.

The 25-year-old's most recent season in Ligue 1 saw the striker net 21 goals and nine assists in 36 appearances for Montpellier—finishing the season with the club's highest average match rating on reputable statistics website WhoScored.com for an outfield player.

He would be a dynamic inclusion at the Emirates and was considered by many to be the fall-back option if Robin van Persie's negotiations continued to snag. 

Now even that option appears to be falling through for the Gunners in what has already been a summer transfer window to forget. 

What's worse is that there are still 86 days to go.

Do you think Arsenal will end up signing Olivier Giroud?

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