Celtic FC manager Neil Lennon recently revealed that his club are currently in talks with 22-year-old forward Odsonne Edouard over the agreement of a new deal.
“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.
“I think he is [happy]. I think he’s got a fantastic relationship certainly with me and my backroom team and his team-mates. You can see how much the supporters appreciate him as well. I think that’s reciprocated.
“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.”
This statement has been a major blow for Premier League club Arsenal who have been heavily linked with the Frenchman over the past couple of months.
But now speaking about the offering of the new deal and Edouard’s potential move to England, Noel Whelan has claimed that despite all the positive buzz, Celtic will not hesitate to sell the forward if they receive a substantial bid.
Noel Whelan told Football Insider: “It would be massive.
“He is their main goalscorer and we saw when he wasn’t in the side how much they missed him. If they can get that done – fantastic. It would not be a bad thing to tie their top scorer down to a new deal for three to four years!
“However, is it to appease the fans? They can say they are working on a deal but if a big-money offer comes in for him I guarantee you he will want to play in the Premier League. It is simple.
“If it is one of the top-six or if he has aspirations to play in the best and the hardest league
in the world – the Premier League – he will want to do that. It is great that they are trying to nail down a contract but the player will decide if he wants to sign that.
“Celtic will know that when the season concludes Premier League clubs will be discussing his name.”
Celtic currently value Odsonne Edouard at around £35 million but if the forward does agree to a new contract then this transfer value will undoubtedly go up making it even more difficult for Arsenal to get their hands on him.
