Chelsea are willing to offer striker Olivier Giroud to Crystal Palace as they bid to win the race to sign Wilfried Zaha this month.

Frank Lampard identified the Ivory Coast forward as a priority target after the Blues’ transfer ban was reduced in December and Zaha is believed to be keen on a move to Stamford Bridge.

The winger was desperate to leave Selhurst Park last summer but moves to Everton and Arsenal failed to materialise. Roy Hodgson admitted on Tuesday that Palace will have to listen to large offers for Zaha.

‘We aren’t trying to sell Wilfried Zaha, we want to keep him,’ Hodgson said. ‘I have the assurance there is no one in the club that wants to sell Wilfried Zaha.

‘But of course you never know where bids are going to come from and I suppose every time there is a serious bid for one of your players the board of directors needs to take it seriously.

It’s certainly not something we’re looking for’. Giroud joined Chelsea from Arsenal as he feared a lack of playing time at the Emirates would end his chances of making France’s World Cup squad in 2018 and he has similar fears for this summer’s European Championships.

West Ham are interested in the Frenchman but he’s open to any move that will maximise his playing time.