Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Olivier Giroud and Jasper Schendelaar

Arsenal are reportedly closing in on a new deal for Olivier Giroud amid speculation over his future.According to the Daily Mail, the Gunners are in "advanced discussions" with the striker over a one-year extension to his contract, which will keep him at the Emirates Stadium until 2019, and expect him to put pen to paper.PerCalciomercato (h/tJamie Stylesfor theDaily Star), Juventus are reportedly interested in the Frenchman, who has played just 406 minutes of football this season.Giroud has struggled for game time after Alexis Sanchez was moved to a centre-forward role, in which he has shone with some sublime performances.Arsenal's official Twitter feed shared perhaps his best:While Giroud's minutes on the pitch continue to be restricted, he has impressed in the limited number of opportunities he's hadthe 30-year-old has racked up five goals and three assists in all competitions this season, meaning he has contributed one or the other every 51 minutes he's spent on the pitch.Indeed, he's defied his critics, including Bleacher Report UK's James McNicholas:The Gunners aren't as quick or fluent in the final third when Giroud is in the side, but his strength and aerial presence gives Arsenal a new dimension and more options in the attacking third.As such, it's perhaps unsurprisinghe's developed a knack of changing games from the bench, per OptaJoe:While Giroud may not be a world-class forward, he's undoubtedly a useful player to have on the squad.Sanchez is unlikely to relinquish his position up front anytime soon, but if Giroud is content to stay even with a reduced role, keeping him on will be a strong bit of business.Meanwhile, the Gunners are reportedly interested in signing 16-year-old AZ Alkmaar goalkeeperJasper Schendelaar, according to Tutto Mercato (h/t The Sun's Richard Forrester).The north London outfit are said to have begun negotiations for the hot prospect and are targeting a January move for him.Petr Cech may yet have several years left in him as a top-level goalkeeper, but the Gunners are wise to plan for the 34-year-old retiring or moving onSchendelaar could provide competition with David Ospina and Emiliano Martinez to be his long-term replacement.
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