Olivier Giroud Says Leaving Arsenal 'Is an Option' Amid Everton Transfer Rumours

Arsenal star Olivier Giroud has said that leaving the club this summer "is an option" amid speculation linking him with Everton and West Ham United.

Per MailOnline's Mike Keegan, he said: "It [leaving] is an option to be honest with you. I'm here in pre-season, I wanted to travel. Some people asked me if I am going to travel or not and of course, I am Arsenal player and for the moment I am here so I just want to prepare well for the season and we will see later."

According to Keegan, Giroud has not only attracted interest from the Premier League duo, but also AC Milan and Marseille.

He is currently in Australia with the rest of the Arsenal squad for their pre-season tour.

Giroud slipped down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium last season when Alexis Sanchez moved up front, and the arrival of Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon in a club-record £53 million move puts his place in further jeopardy.

Per Bleacher Report's James McNicholas, Lacazette is more clinical than his compatriot:

The Frenchman added he has "really enjoyed" his five years with the club and next season may be his sixth.

He also welcomed Lacazette's arrival: "It's always nice for the club to get several strikers with different qualities, and it is always nice for competition, and it helps you to step up every time."

The striker has contributed 98 goals—16 of which came last year from 17 starts in all competitions—and 41 assists in 227 appearances over the course of his five seasons in north London, a healthy return for a reported £12 million, and he also has 27 goals for France's national team to his name.

Football.London's Charles Watts believes the Gunners should keep him despite the capture of Lacazette:

Indeed, Giroud may not fit in Arsenal's side as naturally as it appears the pacey and dynamic Lacazette will, but his strength and aerial ability gives their attack a different dimension, one that's certainly useful bringing off the bench.

The 30-year-old may not accept a squad role once again, though, and it seems relatively unlikely that he and the former Lyon man will be partnering one another on a regular basis.

While none of the interested teams can offer him regular UEFA Champions League football like Arsenal—even if they won't be in it next year—they can offer him a starring role in an exciting project, Everton and Milan in particular.

Should a concrete approach be made, it may prompt Giroud to make a decision on his future one way or another.