Arsenal Transfer News: Olivier Giroud Latest Amid Marseille, Everton Rumours

Marseille believe they lead the chase to sign Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud amid interest from Everton, West Ham United and Ligue 1 rivals Lyon.

That's according to James Ducker of the Telegraph, who wrote Marseille are "increasingly confident" of landing the France international in a deal worth €28 million (£24.7 million) plus add-ons.

Giroud signed a new contract at the Emirates Stadium in January, but Alexandre Lacazette's arrival from Lyon on Wednesday means his place under manager Arsene Wenger looks uncertain.

Giroud scored 16 goals in 40 appearances across all competitions last season, but his strike rate begins to look a lot more prolific when one considers he only made 17 starts in that time span.

Sky Football recently compared new boy Lacazette's performance figures alongside those of the current Arsenal attack, which showed Giroud still tops last season's stars by a wide margin with a shot-conversion rate of 30.8 percent:

In truth, Alexis Sanchez's fate may come to play a heavy hand in whether Giroud is allowed to leave north London, with the Chilean having been fielded in the central striking role for much of 2016-17.

Lacazette's move means the South American will no longer have to do so, but with Sanchez in the final year of his contract and his future uncertain, Wenger will surely want all the elite attackers he can get his hands on.

Arsenal also have the services of Danny Welbeck at their command, but although talented, the former Manchester United man has struggled to maintain fitness and managed only 12 starts last term.

Giroud may have lost much of his momentum in the battle for a starting place last season, but his numbers and proficiency in front of goal continues to rank among the best in Europe, per OptaJean's David Wall:

Marseille need to replenish their attacking reserves this summer after Bafetimbi Gomis returned to Swansea City following his loan, although Clinton Njie has completed a permanent move from Tottenham Hotspur after his temporary stay.

The competition for Giroud's signature and whether Arsenal even want to sell means this could turn into one of the summer's more drawn-out sagas, but Marseille remain vigilant in their plans to recruit him.