Magpies 'too small' for Giroud

Montpellier owner Louis Nicollin has ruled out selling Olivier Giroud to Newcastle after claiming they are 'too small' for the striker.

Montpellier owner says striker will cost more than reported figures

Montpellier owner Louis Nicollin has ruled out selling Olivier Giroud to Newcastle United after claiming the club are 'too small' for the striker. Giroud is reportedly a target for Newcastle in the January transfer window as Alan Pardew seeks to boost his attack after a move for Sochaux's Modibo Maiga collapsed. France international Giroud has been in impressive form in Ligue 1 this season and has also been linked with the likes of Arsenal and Malaga. Nicollin is unsure whether Arsenal are interested in Giroud due to Gunners captain Robin van Persie's sensational run of goals, but does not believe the 25-year-old should join Newcastle. The Montpellier supremo also dismissed speculation that the club would be prepared to sell Giroud for a fee in the region of €10million (£8.3m) in the January transfer window. "Newcastle? They are too small for him," Nicollin told RTL. "Arsenal? We must see if Arsene Wenger is interested because he has Van Persie. "€10m? He won't go for that. "Given that he still has more than two years left on his contract, he'll cost a lot more, either €50m (£41.7m) or €60m (£50m)."