West Ham United and Crystal Palace are are set to offer Olivier Giroud loan moves in January.

The 31-year-old French star is a favourite of coach Didier Deschamps, but he has been warned that his place in Russia at the finals is in jeopardy if he continues to kick his heels on the bench at Arsenal – given the glut of forwards available to the French coach.

Giroud has not started a Premier League game this season and we can reveal that Arsene Wenger has agreed to sanction any move that the striker would like, as a thanks to one of his most loyal lieutenants.

Everton wasted most of the summer trying to land him and although they remain interested, a new bid is unlikely as Giroud’s camp has me it clear they want to remain in London.

Giroud’s wife Jennider is expecting their third child and they are settled in London.

We can reveal that West Ham and Crystal Palace are set to battle it out to land Giroud – initially on loan – in the New Year. Both sides can offer him first-team football, and the decision will be left with the player.

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French assistant Guy Stephan said: “Didier has had the opportunity to talk to him about it and now Olivier has to find a solution in the weeks to come.

“A loan deal in January? That’s up to him. Olivier has been very good for us in the last few months and he has a very high ratio in terms of the amount of games played to goals but now he must play more.”

Bookmakers believe there is a real chance of Giroud leaving and Michael Triffitt of BetVictor told us: “Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud may seek pastures new this transfer window especially with the threat of failing to make the National squad now seemingly a big factor.

“Giroud will obviously want to play in Russia this summer in the World Cup but lack of game time is seriously threatening that hope.”