Arsenal Transfer Update: Olivier Giroud Deal Should Be Completed This Weekend

Ligue1.com writer Matt Spiro revealed Wednesday morning on Twitter that according to L'Equipe, a deal to bring Olivier Giroud to Arsenal for €12 million could be completed by the end of this week.

Giroud has been a frequent link to the Emirates in recent months, but Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has stepped up his recruitment of the striker in recent weeks.

According to Spiro, Wenger made his move for the 2011-12 Ligue 1 top goalscorer (21 goals, along with nine assists) over the weekend and set the chains in motion for a transfer.

While Arsenal's Premier League rivals, Queen Park Rangers, have made a higher offer to the Montpellier hit man, Giroud is said to have his heart set on a move to the Gunners.

The prospect of competing with Arsenal captain and returning EPL leading scorer Robin van Persie doesn't daunt Giroud, who is said to be relishing in the prospect of a potential partnership with the Dutch striker at the head of the Gunners' attack.

Currently at the European Championships with France, Giroud has instructed his entourage to deal with all transfer matters, French news service RMC reported on Monday. A source close to Arsenal did confirm that a formal offer would be transmitted to Giroud in the coming days.

Montpellier manager Rene Girard has said that if Arsenal meet the €12 million clause for Giroud, there is "no doubt" that his star man will end up at with club.

Girard, who led the southern French side to the first Ligue 1 title in club history this past season, said that were a deal to go through, he would like to get embattled Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh on loan but accepted that this particular scenario "might not be possible."