Arsenal summer transfer stance on Odsonne Edouard revealed

Arsenal, despite their issues at centre-forward plain to see coming into the summer transfer window, have been linked to surprisingly few strikers in recent months.

The topic was a primary concern come January, with Alexandre Lacazette finding form and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang still providing a valuable option at No. 9, a place he doesn’t appear close to relinquishing. The captain is looking back to his best.

Eddie Nketiah has started just three Premier League matches all season, not even making the squad in any of the last five outings. He appears destined for a move elsewhere, whether on loan or permanently in the summer. Unless big money comes in, a new contract and loan would suit.

As for Lacazette, his contract is running down as his age heading in a different direction, and he too will be up for sale at the end of the season.

https://twitter.com/CelticFC/status/1362095362887024641

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is considering an a summer move for Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard to solve the Gunners’ imminent striker issues

What happens with Folarin Balogun is anyone’s guess. Mikel Arteta continues to stress his confidence in the 19-year-old, who has been free to speak to clubs across Europe since January and drops cryptic hints of his future, such as deleting all mention of Arsenal – and everything else – from his Instagram page recently.

In a nutshell, Arsenal need strikers, and a name who has been in the headlines for the best part of 18 months in Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard. In a similar situation to Lacazette in having just over a year left to run on his deal, the Frenchman’s exploits have attracted admiring glances from across Europe – Premier League sides included.

As per the Scottish Daily Mail (as cited by Birmingham Mail), Arsenal’s transfer stance is that they are ‘considering’ an approach for the 23-year-old, who is back among the goals after an uncharacteristic drought in Glasgow. He has nine goals in his last nine league outings taking his tally to 20 in 32 matches in all competitions, a more than fair figure given Celtic’s flailing campaign.

There is strong competition, however, as Aston Villa, Leicester City and Serie A outfit AS Roma are also being linked with the centre-forward, who is said to be worth close to £35m. Given the situation at Celtic, that figure is said to be negotiable closer to £20m. Furthermore, he has changed agency in recent weeks, and is now represented by the same firm as Kieran Tierney. Make of that what you will.

Are there any weaknesses in Edouard? Or is he someone Arsenal should absolutely pursue?