Everton have reportedly finally admitted defeat in their pursuit of Olivier Giroud.

Everton have reportedly been forced to turn their attention to alternative targets, Christian Benteke and Nikola Kalinic, this summer after Giroud confirmed that he’ll be staying at Arsenal.

The 30-year-old, who has been linked with a move away from north London in search of regular game time, admitted that his heart and soul were telling him to stay with the Gunners, so he will for the moment, which Arsene Wenger admitted is a relief.

“There was something in my soul and in my heart which told me to stay,” Giroud said.

“I’ve been hesitating because I’m the most happy man when I play and I am on the pitch.

“But I keep the faith and I still believe I can have an important part to play this season in the club and I feel good in my head and also physically.

“So I am 100 per cent focused on the club project. I’ve been through five amazing years here so I felt like the story had to continue.

“There are nice days to come from me in an Arsenal shirt.”

The striker has two years left on his current deal, which he only extended at the beginning of 2017, and it’s clear that the big guy loves Arsenal. Although most of his goal celebrations have been pretty muted since getting dropped to the bench last season, when he netted the winner against Leicester on the opening day of the season, it was another story.

The Toffees were said to be willing to pay £20m for the France international but have now had to turn their attention to Crystal Palace striker, Benteke, and Fiorentina’s Kalinic.

Ronald Koeman has allegedly been hunting for a replacement for Romelu Lukaku, who signed for Manchester United for a reported £75m earlier in the summer.