Celtic were eliminated from Champions League qualification last night, which could push Odsonne Edouard to consider his future.
The French striker has emerged as one of the hottest properties in Europe, with his exception goalscoring and ability to find a key pass attracting attention.
While Edouard missed last night’s Champions League qualifier with Hungarian side Ferencvarosi with injury, his side were downed 2-1 at Celtic Park in his absence, and they will now drop into the draw for Europa League qualification.
Ally McCoist has declared that he believes that result could raise serious doubts over Edouard’s future, and staying to play a part in winning the club’s tenth league title in a row will likely not be as big a deal for the 22 year-old.
“Edouard, certainly on current form, is the most valuable player in the country,” McCoist told talkSPORT (via the Daily Record). “Celtic clearly missed him to a massive degree last night.
“And he must be sitting there thinking – with the greatest of respect to Odsonne Edouard – is he going to say ‘ok that’s us out of the Champions League but I’ve to 10 In A Row to look forward to’?
“No he’s not! Come on, that’s a west of Scotland thing between Rangers and Celtic. That’s not going to affect a big striker with the ability of Odsonne Edouard.
“He wants to play at the top level, and he will play at the top level because he’s a top player. It’s given him something to think about.
“Clearly Celtic will benefit when the time is right for Odsonne Edouard to move – and I think he will move.
“I’m not saying for a minute it’ll happen in the next two or three months, but he will at some point move. But that result has certainly given him and his agent something to think about.”
Arsenal are supposedly considering the departure of Alexandre Lacazette, which could well open the door for our side to make their own bid for Celtic’s star man, while other Premier League sides are also believed to be of interest.
Would Edouard be an immediate upgrade on Lacazette? Will Celtic’s CL expulsion lead the striker to target a move to another club this summer?
Patrick
Lacazette for Partey would be ideal better than losing a great player. Edouard would be a fantastic signing for Arsenal!!
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Great suggestions! Dunk, Partey/Diawara, Aouar/Coutinho, and Edouard with Arteta’s tactics would make for a very exciting season!
Lacazette is a great player but I agree that Edouard would suit Arteta’s system better, he could also be used as part of a deal seeing him swap with Partey. We have a lot of defenders to offload so I don’t see Dunk as a priority but if enough fees are raised this would be great. Aouar and Coutinho look a little expensive for Arsenal atm but we are desperate for a creative player in the mould of Aouar. I think Arsenal could easily attract Edouard as he won’t be as expensive as many other options and has the potential to be special, Celtic have been knocked out of the UCL.
But the starting XI for arsenal of Leno, Tierney, Gabriel, Saliba, Bellerin/AMN, Xhaka, Partey, Aouar, Aubameyang, Edouard and Pepe would be incredible!!!! This would for the first time in a long time leave us with a promising team and bench. Bench: Martinez, Luiz, Dunk, Mari, Cedric, Saka, Willock, Nketia, Martinelli, Willian, Nelson and Smith-Rowe. All other players should be sold to raise fund and balance the squad! I think this would get a lot of fans back on board and engaged with Arsenal and start helping us build for the future, also I wouldn’t expect this team to win big trophies this year but once they gel after 1-2 seasons, we would be in the running for some huge titles.
I think Aouar said his preference was Juve, no? In that case, an alternative could be trying for a less expensive option like Eze or Szoboszlai and along with Rowe, have both be our creative options along with Willian and Ozil 😅.
I agree Sid, even if Ceballos doesn’t return, there are other options out there at less cost than the current high profile Aouar.
Personally once Thomas Partey was signed as the box to box CAM, I would rather any available funds spent on a specialist DM like Diawara, freeing Xhaka to play further foreward.
Partey only needs Arsenal to pay his buy out as Atletico Madrid is seeking Marc Roca as his replacement. Roca is someone Arsenal was aware of but procrastinated again.
I hardly think Dunk would sign for us to sit on the bench……
Eze is Crystal Palace bound
Is expensive for my club as iknow much about it,yap acredible player imis.
Having seen him on numerous occasions for Celtic, while he is a terrific prospect, he is performing in a League which equates to the English Championship at best, so that has to be factored in when assessing him.He is not in my opinion an upgrade on Laca at present, but would be an excellent long term replacement.He is undoubtedly more skilful and effective than Nketiah who’s future at Arsenal would be in doubt if they bought Edouard.Celtic are likely to insist on at least 30m for him.
Yes, Grandad and Arsenal doesn’t tie down or gives away young forward prospects like Balogun (with his goal and assist record) and Sam Greenwood (£1.5 million to Leeds United) for a relative pittance.
Arsenal selling the future because Aubameyang and Lacazette will play forever apparently.
Living in Scotland I have seen a lot of Edouard, he would be a great signing for us like Tierney & available for similar money.