According to reports from the Mirror, Arsenal are considering a summer move for Celtic forward Odsonne Edouard as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his frontline amid fears of Aubameyang’s departure from the Emirates.
With reports suggesting that Real Madrid are set to offer a player-swap deal for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Arteta is already looking at replacements as Arsenal aims to build ahead of next season. The Gabon striker enters the last 12 months of his contract this summer and Arsenal chiefs are prepared to cash in now rather than losing him for nothing. Nevertheless, the Arsenal boss wants to add to his frontline regardless of what the future holds for Aubameyang.
Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta has been linked heavily to several forwards including Kevin Volland, Timo Werner, Jadon Sancho, and Wilfred Zaha. Hence, it comes as no surprise that the Spaniard has set his sights on Odsonne Edouard and is eager to bring him to North London in the upcoming transfer window.
Odsonne Edouard currently represents the U-21 French national side. He has been phenomenal for Celtic throughout the 2019-20 season, with an impressive goals tally of 28 in all competitions before all European football competitions were suspended on account of the spread of Covid-19.
Celtic FC certainly needs to reflect on the outcomes before accepting any deal for the French forward as he is responsible for nearly 32 percent of all 85 goals scored by the Bhoys in the Scottish Premiership this season. He is Celtic’s top scorer in the Scottish Premiership this year with 21 goals, followed by Ryan Christie (11), James Forrest (10), Callum McGregor (9) and Leigh Griffiths (9). In addition to his spectacular form in terms of goal conversion, he has also registered 9 assists in the Scottish top-flight.
Odsonne Edouard cette saison :
45 matches
27 buts
19 passes décisives.
22 ans.pic.twitter.com/2PadScO2UW— Goal France ?? (@GoalFrance) March 22, 2020
The 29-year-old Leigh Griffiths has suffered an extensive home goal drought this season. If the 22-year-old Edouard were to leave the team this summer, Celtic could find themselves in a very difficult situation with no competent and experienced back-up striker in their squad.
Vakoun Issouf Bayo might likely be the first to be called up should Odsonne Edouard leave the club. Widely known as ‘The Crow’, the 23-year-old Ivorian international has scored twice in his 16 appearances for Celtic in all competitions.
The Scottish champions also have the option to play Poland Under-21 striker Patryk Klimala, whom they signed in the January transfer window. Klimala, fondly nicknamed ‘The Devil’, has only appeared twice for the Hoops and has zero contribution towards any goal or assist having featured only for 15 minutes.
Karamoko Dembele remains too young and inexperienced at this point and it is difficult to predict what plans Neil Lennon might have in mind for him. Although, the Hoops did reportedly reject a loan offer made for the 17-year-old from Gillingham during the January transfer window.
Considering the above circumstances, it is fair to say that Edouard’s departure would cause some disruption in Celtic’s present smooth style of play and would force Neil Lennon to invest in another capable goalscorer, should the club wish to maintain their stunning winning record in the Scottish Premiership.
Sources estimate the fee paid to sign Odsonne Edouard from PSG, following his loan period, was approximately £10m. An offer of around £30m would certainly compel Celtic to ponder, if not, sell. Moreover, the amount would facilitate signing their rumoured targets namely, Motherwell’s midfielder David Turnbull and 19-year-old Atletico Madrid winger Rodrigo Riquelme, whom many critics have hailed as the player to step into Antoine Griezmann’s shoes.
Perhaps, Odsonne Edouard leaving would not be the worst thing for the club, considering they have a host of options to experiment with and some extra money to sign their other long-time midfield targets.