Former England and Premier League goalkeeper, Paul Robinson, has claimed (via Football Insider) that Celtic would be interested in negotiations if clubs were to offer decent money for Odsonne Edouard.
Robinson was responding to speculation that Crystal Palace have shifted attention from Alfredo Morelos to the Parkhead striker with a figure of £20m being suggested.
So what has Robinson said?
When he was asked about the rumours circulating about Palace’s interest in the French youngster, Robinson said:
“I think when there’s that kind of money being bandied around, Rangers and Celtic have to look at that”.
“Historically players in the Scottish Premier League, their heads are turned when the Premier League comes knocking as you don’t get many opportunities to play in the Premier League”.
“It’s a decent figure but I expect Celtic will want more for him and if it is something Palace are looking at, then they’ll have to pay a little bit more I think”.
So is Robinson correct?
Yes and no, Celtic wouldn’t entertain a bid of £20m for a player they paid £9m for plus they sold Moussa Dembele for £19.7m and he arrived on a development fee. They also parted with Kieran Tierney this summer for £25m and Edouard is a lot more important to the Hoops retaining their title and continuing their domestic dominance whilst mounting a challenge in the Europa League.
Edouard was linked with a move to Monaco in the summer with personal terms rumoured to have been agreed, despite being Celtic’s only fit striker, he may feel that he doesn’t owe the club anything having won every domestic honour there is in his time at the club.
Robinson is right, however, in that if a team from the Premier League does make a bid, Edouard’s head may be turned but they would need to start the bidding considerably higher than £20m for the in-form striker. Whether or not Celtic would sell their star player in such a closely fought league campaign is highly doubtful, another factor that would ensure Edouard wouldn’t be leading on the cheap.
Who will stay longer at their club?
Edouard
Morelos
Selling Edouard in January would be a monumental mistake by Celtic’s board and would create unnecessary unrest for the club both on and off the park. Like Morelos, Edouard won’t be in Glasgow forever, but the one who sticks around the longest just might have the final say on whether or not 10-in-a-row becomes a reality.