Celtic in pole position to sign £7m-valued ‘phenomenal’ 6ft 1in player – report
By Richard Parks
Celtic are in pole position to sign Odsonne Edouard permanently in the summer but do not have an agreement in place yet, according to a report.
The Daily Record claim that the Hoops have an option to convert the PSG striker’s season-long loan into a full-time transfer at the end of the season.
It is said that the French champions value the 20-year-old, who stands at 6ft 1in tall, at £7million.
Manager Brendan Rodgers explained that there are a number of factors involved as to whether Celtic will activate their option on a player he rates highly.
“Odsonne is a very good talent and is only going to get better,” Rodgers said, as quoted by the Record. “But we have to respect his club, he’s a signed player for PSG.
“They might have other plans for him so that’s something we’ll speak about. According to people in Paris they’ve seen him become a man at Celtic, in terms of how he’s developed physically and playing for a big club.
“There’s so much growth left in Odsonne. So I’ve totally made my mind up on him – but he’s PSG’s player. There’s an option there for us but the numbers being reported are wide of the mark.”
Edouard has scored eight goals in 24 Celtic appearances this season, including the winner in the memorable 3-2 win over Rangers last week.
“He is the most natural of all our strikers in how he moves,” observed the Celtic manager, as quoted by the Herald, of the 6ft 1in front man. “His movement is phenomenal for a young player. He does things on the training ground that amaze me, really.”
Football Insider verdict:
Edouard is clearly a young striker that Rodgers rates highly, but you sense that the numbers would have to stack up for Celtic to sign him permanently. A potential activation fee of £7million is a lot for a player who has spent most of the campaign as third-choice forward, despite his great promise. Is he a genuine talent? Yes. Will he get better? Certainly. He is only 20 and his pedigree has been evident in the second half of the season, most especially with that beautifully-taken winner at Ibrox. If Moussa Dembele is sold, expect Celtic to press the button on signing Edouard. But there appears to be a fair bit of negotiating to do, first.
In other Celtic news, it has been revealed today that the Scottish champions have launched a bid to sign the a brilliant English Championship player who is out of contract this summer.
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