Chelsea have given up their search for a new striker and have blocked the departure of Olivier Giroud as a consequence, according to Goal.com‘s Chelsea correspondent Nizaar Kinsella.

The Blues had been locked in talks with Napoli over signing Dries Mertens in recent days but the Belgian international is not willing to leave the Serie A side until the summer as he seeks to break the club’s all-time goalscoring record.

Without being able to find a replacement, it has, therefore, left them with no choice but to keep hold of Giroud, despite the Frenchman’s contract expiring in just over five months time.

Tottenham had held talks with Chelsea regarding the 33-year-old, while Inter Milan and Lazio were also keen on signing the Frenchman on deadline day.

Giroud was said to have his heart set on moving to Spurs as he looks for more game time ahead of Euro 2020, but he has been left disappointed by the Blues’ refusal to sell him. Whether this saga will have another twist before the end of the day, we shall have to wait and see.