According to reports, Brighton have joined the hunt for Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard.
According to the Sun, Brighton, who tried to ruin our Christmas back in 2017 with an approach for Moussa Dembele [Guardian], are trying their luck again. Despite playing in a ‘pub league’ where your Nan could score 100 goals, Edouard is now being chased by a number of Premier League outfits.
The report indicates that the Seagulls could hope to lure Edouard with the promise of regular football. Leicester’s interest comes with the caveat of having to dislodge two key strikers. Arsenal, meanwhile, need to find a bidder for Alexandre Lacazette.
It’s an interesting addition to Odsonne Edouard mania. Brighton finished 16th in the Premier League. While the Seagulls ended up comfortably out of trouble, a European-quality striker might just be out of their reach.
Despite criticism from many corners, Edouard finished 21-22 with 22 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions [Transfermarkt]. That’s still more than decent, especially bearing in mind Covid and injury problems the Frenchman faced this term. He’s also en route to finish the Euro U21s, with France facing the Netherlands in six days’ time.
For the avoidance of doubt, Edouard is 23. However, he was 21 when qualifying began, and is therefore eligible to take part in the UEFA European U-21 Championships.
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Decisions, decisions for Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard
While his stock with Celtic supporters isn’t as high as it used to be, this is still a huge move. The Bhoys’ board need to get it right, with PSG eligible to receive 50% of any fee. Given the sheer depth of the rebuild at hand, and Edouard’s qualities, we can’t undervalue the Frenchman.
After all, he’s scored 83 goals in the Hoops since 2017. That kind of production doesn’t come cheaply. Neither should it be sold cheaply, and you could reasonably argue that Moussa Dembele was worth more than his fee from Lyon. Given the riches of the Premier League, then, we should know better than to flatter a low-ball offer.
But then, Edouard does only have a year remaining on his contract. Next to Eddie Howe coming to Celtic, Edouard’s availability is probably the worst-kept secret in European football. Still, a bidding war suits Celtic, and another piranha in the tank is good news from a financial perspective.
Brighton, though? Come on, Eddy. Surely not.