Celtic reportedly to trigger clause in contract of ‘phenomenal’ player who will be best in SPL
COMMENT By Richard Parks
Celtic are working on a deal to sign Odsonne Edouard – and they must seal it before the vultures swoop.
The striker, 20, has the potential to become the outstanding player in the Scottish Premiership in the coming years.
Edoaurd was signed on a season-long loan from Paris Saint-Germain by Celtic last summer and he has made an increasingly impressive impact after growing accustomed to the unique rhythms of Scottish football.
He played third fiddle to Moussa Dembele and Leigh Griffiths in the first half of the campaign but has been used more frequently of late, with his 24 appearances for the season yielding eight goals, including a brilliant winner in his side’s memorable 3-2 win at Ibrox earlier this month.
Edoaurd is young, gifted and destined for the very top. Standing at 6ft 1in, he is super-quick and Brendan Rodgers has praised his “phenomenal” movement. He can finish, too, in the air and on the deck, with both feet.
There is a rawness to his game, but, that could be ironed out by Rodgers and his coaching staff on the training ground in the next season or two.
What will it take for Celtic to snap up the hugely promising striker?
As the Mail on Sunday report, Celtic have first option on converting Edouard’s loan into a permanent transfer this summer – for a fee that Rodgers has suggested is below the reported £7million – and it is likely they will trigger the clause in his PSG contract.
Rodgers explained that the terms have already been agreed but there are a number of factors involved as to whether Celtic will complete the signing of a player he rates highly.
“There is a clause in the deal,” Rodgers said, as quoted by the Daily Record. “The clause is there and there’s been an agreement – but we would need to trigger the fee.
“There’s a lot to do in terms of the bigger picture too. In time we’ll see. He’s a fantastic player and we’ll see between now and the end of the season.
“But he’s settled in well and if we have any chance to do something at the end of the season then we can look at that.”
Celtic must beware that other clubs could soon swoop to land a player with the world at his feet, and look to get an early summer deal done before he has his head turned by rival offers.
Edouard is already good but, with the right nurturing and coaching, he can be brilliant.
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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