Recently, Premier League club Arsenal were given a major blow in the signing of Odsonne Edouard from Celtic after Neil Lennon revealed that the forward is expected to sign a new deal at the club this summer.
The Gunners have been chasing the Frenchman for a couple of months now and if the 22-year-old does sign a new contract at Parkhead, it will be really arduous for Mikel Arteta to get his hands on him.
“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.”
But if the words of Noel Whelan are anything to go by then Arsenal still have a chance of signing the former PSG man before the 2020/21 season begins.
“I very much believe there would be a release clause if he did sign,” he told Football Insider. “Edouard and his agents will have an idea of what he is worth and they will not leave themselves out.
“Strikers that can score goals are hard to come by. He can score all kinds of goals. He will demand a good fee so if he does sign a new contract it will be in there.
“I am unsure whether if he would put pen to paper until pre-season. Anything can happen between now and then. He does not want to put all of his eggs in one basket.
“If he is going to be playing his football elsewhere, it will be from the start of the season and he never wear a Celtic shirt again. There is a long time to go between now and the start of next season.”
If Odsonne Edouard does sign a new deal then there’s no doubt it will have a release clause but we have a strong feeling this amount will well be within Arsenal’s reach.
As per some rumours, the Bhoys value him at around £35 million which is something the North London side can afford, especially if they were to part ways with Alexandre Lacazette.
And if Lacazette was to leave then Arteta will have no other option but to bring in a replacement for the next season and having scored 21 goals in just 27 league matches, Odsonne Edouard would be the perfect alternative.
