With such a strong squad, Celtic’s primary focus throughout this transfer window has been retaining key players rather than recruiting new ones to improve the starting XI.
Just as it looked as though it could have been a frustrating one for us fans, it has been revealed that it could be a long one with the news that Aston Villa have Odsonne Edouard at the top of their shopping list according to The Scottish Sun.
With the arrival of Vasilios Barkas, Albian Ajeti and the return of Mohamed Elyounoussi, Neil Lennon has been backed by the board to makes sure that the title remains where it belongs and with David Turnbull also said to be arriving this week, the gaffer now has a raft of options at his disposal which could see the likes of Tom Rogic and Olivier Ntcham – who have spent increasing spells on the bench in the last 12 months – depart the club.
If they were to leave, the money spent on the new arrivals would be covered without the need for further sales, however, with a £30million carrot being dangled in front of the Celtic board, they may find it hard to turn down – especially now that Ajeti is though the door and off the mark.
Will Edouard be at Celtic after the window shuts?
Yes
No
It really would be a kick in the teeth if – in this of all seasons – Edouard was allowed to leave, he does, after all, still have two years left to run on his contract, yes the club would take a small hit on his fee next season but with Champions League qualification significantly easier over the next two seasons, it would be tantamount to waving the white flag if the 22-year old headed for pastures new.
You would like to think that Villa doesn’t have the same attraction as a Manchester United or Arsenal and that even if a bid was accepted, that the French Under-21 star would be patient and not jump ship to the first club that came along – either way, every link, rumour and headline is sure to raise the heart rate whenever Edouard’s name is mentioned in the same breath as the riches of the Premier League.