Pundit suggests Edouard signing ‘January pre-agreement’ as Celtic face £30m blow
Noel Whelan has claimed Celtic could miss out on £30million if Odsonne Edouard and Ryan Christie are not sold by August 31.
The former Aberdeen striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, admitted he could not see either player leaving Parkhead before next week’s transfer deadline.
A French source has told Football Insider (28th August) Bordeaux are set to launch a £15.4million bid for Edouard.
This site also detailed (14th August) OGC Nice’s interest in the 23-year-old.
The Frenchman is out of contract next summer, meaning Celtic risk losing him on a free.
Edouard has held talks with multiple Premier League clubs this summer, as well as several overseas, but has been unable to agree terms.
Meanwhile, Christie’s current terms at Parkhead expire in January.
Whelan warned Celtic risk missing out on a significant windfall should either stay on past Tuesday’s deadline.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “I don’t think either of them will be going anywhere.
“It seems to me that it might end up being a pre-contract agreement in January. It’s dwindling down very quickly. There’s not long left in the window at all.
“If a deal is going to be done for either of those two players, it is going to have to happen, very, very quickly over 48 hours.
“Then they’ve got to have the chance to recruit somebody. I don’t think there’s enough time to get that done, quite frankly.
“I think both players could be there until January. Possibly until the end of the season and signing a pre-contract with another club.
“They’re going to be losing out on maybe £25-30million pounds if they lose two players for free.”
In other news, a Celtic summer signing has been tipped to play a big role in toppling Rangers.