'Giroud's wife prevented Everton move'

Former Everton boss Ronadlo Koeman was a keen admirer of the French international and confirmed that he was close to signing the 31-year-old, only for the former Montpellier man to have a late change of heart.

A striker is once against thought to be on Everton's wishlist for January, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Sandro Ramirez having largely failed to fill the void created by the departure of Romelu Lukaku.

However, Allardyce says he is not considering revisiting a move for Giroud and suggested that it may have been Mrs Giroud who scuppered the move in the first place.

"I wouldn't have thought so because he refused to come last time," Allardyce explained when asked whether Everton would try for Giroud again in January.

"He doesn't want to move north of London, I don't think.

"Or his wife doesn't. It is very important to the wives you know.

"Normally they are the bosses, I say that with experience."

Giroud may be regretting his decision to stay put, having made just one Premier League start so far this season, with widespread reports suggesting that he is considering leaving the Emirates in the New Year in the search of more regular football.