Report: Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard considering seeing out his contract

By Euan Davidson

August 11, 2021

Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard is considering seeing out his Bhoys contract.

According to the Daily Mail [print edition, 11/08, back page], a list of suitors have failed to pull the trigger on an Edouard move. Brighton are still keen, but Southampton have bid for Blackburn’s Adam Armstrong. Roma, meanwhile, are looking at Chelsea starlet Tammy Abraham.

The Daily Mail state that, with that being the scenario, Odsonne Edouard is as happy seeing his Celtic contract out, as he is with anything else. Of course, Celtic would fail to see a penny return on their £9m investment in 2018 [Sky Sports].

Edouard, who has scored 84 goals and set up a further 38 in under 200 Celtic games is a considerable asset [Transfermarkt]. However, even with his contract running down, it doesn’t look as if the Hoops hierarchy have been aggressively trying to move him on.

Nor has Odsonne Edouard been looking to move for the sake of moving. He scored a late penalty against Dundee on Sunday [BBC]. His demeanour, so often criticised, didn’t seem to be anything but positive at the weekend.

Additionally, he represents a step up from other striking options, after Kyogo Furuhashi. Albian Ajeti and Leigh Griffiths seem a long way down the pecking order.

No potential profit for Celtic, but Odsonne Edouard has paid us back in goals and big moments

For £9m, it would be fair to say we got our money’s worth with Odsonne Edouard. Since arriving, he’s massively helped Celtic in winning three Scottish Premiership titles, three League Cups and three Scottish Cups. Hardly bad going.

While last season was a disappointment, he was still far and away our top scorer. At just 23, he would still have plenty to offer Celtic if he stayed for another season.

Even if he would have to accept he might not be our #1 striker any more.

All that said, it could be useful to have a substantial fee for Odsonne Edouard’s services. That’s just stating the obvious; we could use any additional transfer funds to strengthen key areas in the squad.

There will be plenty who want to see the back of Odsonne Edouard at Celtic. Some don’t like his body language, or his style of play. They see more potential in the Kyogo Furuhashi, Liel Abada and James Forrest front three. All entirely understandable.

Would it be the worst thing in the world, though, to have someone of Edouard’s calibre off the bench, just for a season? A proven game-winner who’s particularly effective on the big occasion?

I would argue not. What would once have been a ridiculous scenario to envision may come true.

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