In a recent report, The Telegraph has revealed that Arsenal are set to battle Leicester City for Celtic centre-forward Odsonne Edouard, who could be available for a fee between £15m to £20m this summer. It is understood that the Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is preparing to overhaul his attacking department at the end of this season and could move in for the French striker when the transfer window commences later this year (via The Telegraph).
Edouard’s Decent Form At Celtic Park This Season
On a personal front, Edouard is having another impressive season at Parkhead as he has produced several influential displays as the focal point of the Celtic attack. The Kourou-born sensation has banged in 20 goals and secured five assists in 35 matches for the Glaswegian outfit this term across multiple competitions.
The 23-year-old has been quite consistent with his all-around contributions in the attacking third based on his average of 3.5 shots, 1.2 key passes and 1.6 dribbles per game in this Scottish Premiership campaign. He has also taken care of the ball when distributing it in the opposition half after completing 80.6% of his attempted passes in the Scottish first division (stats via whoscored).
Edouard will only have a year left on his Celtic contract at the end of this season. Thus, the Glaswegian giants would have no choice but to sanction his departure for a cut-price fee or else risk keeping him unhappy and on an expiring deal until next year.
What Are The French Marksman’s Best Attributes?
Edouard is a quick and athletic forward who can time his runs well to beat the offside trap when getting in behind the opponent’s backline. He has proven his worth as a prolific goal-getter at Celtic Park and can also contribute by picking up his fair share of assists in the final third.
Standing at 1.87m, Edouard can use his strong frame to hold possession up and get others involved in and around the opposition penalty area. However, the 13-time France Under-21 international needs to work on improving his link-up play and decision making if he intends to taste success at the highest level.
Should The Gunners Get Him On Board?
With both Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah about to enter the final year of their respective contracts, Arteta’s need for a new forward has increased, so he would do well to bring in someone of Edouard’s quality in this off-season. The Frenchman has the potential to be a consistent goal-scorer in the Premier League which is why the Gunners should focus on getting him on board when the transfer window commences later this year.
