A Celtic employee has told The Athletic that any dealings with Leicester City have a “Rodgers tax” included due to the strength of feeling following his 2019 exit.
Brendan Rodgers left the Bhoys in the lurch as the club went for an eighth successive league title. Neil Lennon managed to come in and stabilise the ship, but the manner in which Rodgers abandoned Celtic still rankles with some supporters.
With him went a lot of Lennoxtown staff. It could be argued the club have still not recovered.
That complicated Leicester’s dealings with Celtic recently as they pursued a move for striker Odsonne Edouard.
The Athletic reports that the Bhoys dug their heels in with regards to any valuation. The Foxes have since moved on to RB Salzburg’s Patson Daka who is set to join in a £23m deal next week.
It’s said it was an easier deal for Leicester to conclude, with Salzburg ready to do business.
No reunion with Brendan Rodgers leaves Edouard in complicated position at Celtic
The saga leaves Edouard’s situation at Celtic in a complicated position this summer. With just a year left on his contract, the striker’s market worth has been significantly reduced.
With a sell-on fee due to Paris Saint-Germain, selling him doesn’t appear guaranteed.
There’s an interesting theory circulating that keeping the Frenchman and having him power us to a title win next season, and almost guaranteed Champions League qualification, would be worth more to the club.
However, in my eyes, that’s a major risk.
There’s absolutely no guarantee Edouard, even on top form, would win us the Scottish Premiership. Realising around £15m for him now would help our summer rebuild significantly, even if much of the profit is heading to PSG. Guaranteed cash now is better than taking a risk on rewards next year.
We can’t have a half-interested Eddy walk out the door for nothing next summer. Everyone needs to be engaged and pushing Celtic forwards this season.
In other news, Rio Ferdinand responds after major prediction is left looking daft by Celtic and Scotland stars.
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