Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is 90% confident of completing a deal for Olivier Giroud.
The Giroud to Arsenal move has been understood to be nearing completion, with the Gunners already agreeing a fee worth around £13 million ($20 million). The only thing that stands in the way is a medical and signing of a four-year contract, once Giroud returns from Euro 2012.
The Frenchman scored 25 goals for Montpellier in all competitions last season and will add another dimension to Arsenal's attack. The Gunners have already signed German centurion Lukas Podolski from FC Koln.
"Giroud didn't play much (at the Euros so far), but he's going to be an Arsenal player 90 per cent next season," Wenger told French TV station TF1.
"I think he has exceptional potential and will integrate very well in our collective and our way of playing.
"He is a real team player and knows how to combine with other players and I'm sure he will do well with us."
The arrival of Giroud is sure to signal the departures of Nicklas Bendtner and Marouane Chamakh.
Wenger, who is working for French television at the European championship, was also impressed by Podolski's performances for Germany in the tournament so far. Arsenal completed the signing of the German international in May for a fee believed to be in the region of £11 million ($17 million). "Podolski did a great job for the German team, he has superb team work," Wenger observed.
"He plays in a cautious way sometimes, but he's still scored a very important goal against Denmark during his 100th cap.
"I am very happy with what I've seen from him."
Arsenal will now turn their attentions towards another Frenchman, Yann M'Vila after the Gunners were boosted by the news that Bayern Munich had pulled out of the running for the midfielder's signature.
