Premier League side Arsenal might out on signing Celtic’s 22-year-old centre-forward Odsonne Edouard thanks to problems of their own making.
The Gunners have been looking to sign a new forward this summer and many experts believe Edouard will be that man, eventually being the long-term solution to Alexandre Lacazette. But recently, Celtic boss Neil Lennon claimed that the Frenchman could agree on a new deal at Parkhead.
“There are discussions at the minute with his [Edouard’s] representatives,” said the Celtic boss, as reported by Goal.
“Ultimately he’s a player we want around. He’s a fantastic player. He’s really blossomed over the last couple of seasons. He had a magnificent season this year and we want to keep him. It’s as simple as that. We’re doing everything we can to keep him here for at least another season anyway.
“He’s grown into a top-class striker. Of course, there is going to be speculation around a player of that quality. But we’re comfortable at the minute with the position we’re in with him.”
If Odsonne Edouard signs a new deal then it will be really hard for Arsenal to sign the forward and as per Alan Hutton, the suitor’s spending power might be a major deciding factor.
Hutton told Football Insider: “He’s their main man, it doesn’t surprise me, I’d be doing everything I could do get him to stay. Only being 22 at the moment, I can’t imagine him signing a long-term deal.
“The only way I can possibly see it is if there is a release clause in it to let him go for a particular amount of money that both him and club were happy about.
“It seems like there’s a lot of factors involved in the new deal that will need working out but with this pandemic and stuff, you never know – he might stay for another year depending on what teams are willing to pay for him.
“If it was me, I’d definitely be trying to sign him to a new long-term deal.”
As things stand, Arsenal will not be playing in the Champions League meaning they will be working on a really meagre budget this summer. And if this was not bad enough then the pandemic will also force many clubs to cut their spending short, the North London side being one of them.
And in such a scenario, paying £35 odd million for one player might become really difficult for Mikel Arteta since the Arsenal boss has other areas to focus on as well.
