London, July 21 (IANS): French striker Olivier Giroud's agent has said the 29-year-old is likely to stay put at Arsenal, playing down speculations which link his client with a transfer to Serie A outfit Napoli.

Arsenal reportedly wanted Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuaín and had offered Giroud in a switch deal. But his agent Michael Manuello said any forward coming into the club would be a replacement for England marksman Danny Welbeck.

"Everything I've read on Giroud is not true. I personally have only said that if Arsenal want to sell, then we will see," Manuello was quoted as saying by the London Evening Standard.

Manuello said he has had no word with the Italian club and does not know from where the stories have emerged.

"I do not know where (the Napoli story) came from. We never talked to Naples and there are no other persons appointed over me that can do this. We need to clarify this," he said.

"You always need two strikers and Welbeck is out for nine months, unfortunately. But if you play in a great team, it is natural that we could face strong competition."

Arsenal, who finished runners-up in the English Premier League last season behind Leicester City, kick-start their campaign for the 2016-17 season on August 14 at home against Liverpool.