Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has revealed that he has never had concrete interest from Italian clubs, while admitting he followed AC Milan's fortunes as a child.
The Gunners won the race to sign Giroud from Montpellier in 2012 after the striker had turned on the style for the French outfit, powering the club to the Ligue 1 title.
He has occasionally been linked with leaving Arsenal, especially when enduring stints on the bench, but Giroud says that a move to Italy has never seriously been on the cards.
"Never in a serious way", the Arsenal striker told Gazzetta dello Sport when asked if he had had contact with Italian clubs.
"I have great respect for your football", the Frenchman added.
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And Giroud also took the opportunity to reveal his admiration for AC Milan and Ukrainian striker Andrey Shevchenko.
"As a child I followed Serie A and Milan in particular.
"Shevchenko was my idol and favourite for the Rossoneri."
Giroud recently extended his contract at Arsenal, but at the age of 30 still has ample time to taste Serie A.
So far this season he has netted ten goals in 20 games in all competitions for the Gunners.
