According to a recent report by The Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa are locked in a three-way race for Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard this summer. The same source has also stated that the Villans will face competition from Arsenal and Leicester City in pursuit of the French centre-forward during this summer transfer period. However, Celtic boss Neil Lennon has warned any potential suitors that they will fight to retain the services of the talented goal-getter, which could be a significant stumbling block for Dean Smith’s side to overcome in this off-season (via The Birmingham Mail).
Edouard’s Sensational Form At Celtic Park Last Season
The 22-year-old enjoyed another brilliant season at Parkhead as he produced a series of impressive displays as the focal point of Lennon’s attack. He banged in 27 goals and provided 19 assists in 45 matches for the Glaswegian giants in the previous campaign across all competitions which showcases his incredible form in front of the opposition goal.
Edouard found some consistency with his performances up top after he averaged 3.8 shots, 1.0 key passes and 1.8 dribbles per game in the Scottish Premiership and the UEFA Europa League last season. However, he has been a bit untidy when distributing the ball as evident from his pass completion rate of 78.6% in league football (stats via whoscored).
The former Paris Saint-Germain talent has represented France at various youth ranks but is yet to secure a senior cap for his country. Maybe a high-profile switch to the Premier League this summer could provide him with a more prominent platform to showcase his prolific nature in the final third and catch the attention of Les Bleus boss Didier Deschamps ahead of next summer’s UEFA European Championship finals.
What Will The French Goal-Getter Bring To Villa Park?
Edouard can use his pace to make some dangerous runs in behind the last line of the opposition defence. He has also got the strength to hold the ball up for his teammates and has proven his value as a consistent goal-scorer in the Scottish Premiership. The Frenchman has also been a creative asset for Neil Lennon’s side as he has the vision to pick out a decisive pass in the attacking third, which explains how he has managed to end the season with 19 assists to his name.
A striker of Edouard’s proven track record will not only add a lot of goals and creativity to Dean Smith’s frontline but also improve the overall quality of his match-day squad. At 22, he is only going to get better with each season, which the Villans could look to capitalise on in the coming years.
Furthermore, Edouard will be a significant upgrade over Mbwana Samatta, Wesley Moraes and Keinan Davis at Villa Park next season. Hence, the West Midlands outfit should try everything so that they can to bring the French marksman to the Premier League before the start of the new campaign.
