Who is Olivier Giroud, MLS' next superstar transfer target?

Despite an overflowing trophy cabinet, Giroud is one of the most underrated attackers on the planet and has an impressive background in European soccer.  

In 2012, Giroud won the French league with Montpellier before spending six productive seasons at Arsenal in the Premier League. He won the World Cup with France in 2018, taking home the Bronze Boot for his goal-scoring prowess, before moving to Chelsea of the Premier League the following season. 

In 2021, Giroud won the Champions League with the Blues. The next season, he moved to Italy to win Serie A with AC Milan, where he is thriving. He has built a prolific partnership there with American striker Christian Pulisic, teaming for a combined 21 goals in all competitions this season.

At 37, Giroud finds himself in a difficult position. He has plenty of good years left, but he's unlikely to receive a competitive contract from other European clubs due to his age. So, enter LAFC.

The MLS club — buoyed by the signing of Giroud's French teammate, Hugo Lloris — desperately needs a goal scorer. It has two designated player spots remaining and looks set on signing Giroud to fill one, per Italian journalist Fabrizio Romana.

In 2022, LAFC won the MLS Cup, and in 2023, it reached the final of the MLS Cup and CONCACAF Champions Cup. The team, coached by U. S. Men's National Team legend Steve Cherundolo, is considered one of the strongest in the U.S., but it has struggled to gain traction in 2024. 

LAFC's biggest problem is scoring. Mexican striker Carlos Vela, one of team's top scorers, hasn't renewed his contract with the club, and Denis Bouanga, last season's MLS Golden Boot winner as the league's top scorer, has only two goals in five games.

Giroud could be a perfect fit for LAFC's offense. He's considered a true center forward, the kind of player who focuses on positioning over exertion. He'd be a target for LAFC's quick wingers in the box and could unlock the potential of ball-crossing players such as Cristian Olivera and Ryan Hollingshead.

Giroud has plenty of time left to make his decision. He's contracted with AC Milan through the rest of this season and will likely play for France in the European Championships this summer. But if he chooses MLS, Giroud could give another boost to the growing league and turn LAFC into an MLS Cup contender.

LAFC returns to action against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, the same day Giroud's AC Milan faces Fiorentina in Serie A.