Arsenal could sign Odsonne Edouard for stunning bargain price

Arsenal have a long to-do list for the coming summer transfer window, with a striker high up on their priorities. One name that has remained prevalent throughout is Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard, who could be available for a bargain cut-price deal.

After watching Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang net his first Premier League hat-trick and the second of his Arsenal career, is it really that essential? It most certainly is.

The striker situation at Arsenal is fraught with uncertainty as Alexandre Lacazette nears 30 years of age with less than 18 months to run on his deal, Eddie Nketiah continues to be a peripheral figure at best – he hasn’t been included in any of the previous three Premier League squads – and Folarin Balogun’s future remains unsolved.

A centre-forward with a wide-ranging skill set who has experience is essential, especially as it appears Arsenal are closing in on finalising a deal for Sporting’s 18-year-old forward Tiago Tomas.

Arsenal could sign Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard for bargain cut-price fee of £15m in the summer transfer window

Odsonne Edouard has been linked with a move to the Premier League over the past few seasons having shot to prominence during the 2019/20 campaign. Question marks over his commitment and focus are not without reason, although the basis for those springs from disappointment in not securing a move to a bigger European club in the previous summer.

All that aside, he’s still netted 15 goals in 21 Scottish Premiership outings, including eight in his last six appearances. In the Europa League he also bagged two goals as Celtic bowed out with a whimper at the group stages.

Speaking on the Scottish Football Podcast, former Hoops forward and Scottish football expert Andy Walker believes Celtic would gladly accept a bargain £15m bid for Edouard given his contract situation and desire to leave.

"“Odsonne Edouard realises that he’s got ability and is worth a lot of money,” Walker said. “How much? I’m not sure, as he’s not been firing on all cylinders."

"“Let’s say they paid £9m for him but any player who switches off – I think that’s alarming for any potential suitor. Edouard didn’t appear totally committed, and I think now he realises it’s not so long until the summer transfer window.“He’ll get his move now, so how much money will Celtic get for him? It all depends on how much they’re willing to accept, but if they got anything around £15m now I think you’re absolutely doing business.”"

Come the summer the Frenchman will have just one year left to run on his deal. Any hopes of an extension being signed were extinguished some time ago. Neil Lennon won’t be keen on letting him leave for nothing in 18 months time, so a potential bidding war at the end of the season will likely see that figure rise as, in truth, £15m is daylight robbery. Celtic would surely want more.

A player with his scoring record and at a measly rumoured fee of £15m is an opportunity begging to be snatched at. Arsenal have been linked, but so too have Leicester, Aston Villa and Brighton. European clubs have understandably been sniffing around, too.

For good reason.