The worldwide lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak has suspended the football season indefinitely. Celtic were close to conquering the coveted crown for the ninth time in a row, but the uncertainty has now altered the equation with no clear sight of when/if the game resumes within the next few months.
Meanwhile, the fans are sweating over the future of Odsonne Edouard amid interest from Premier League hotshots as well as European heavyweights. The flying Frenchman has fired in 28 times this term in 45 outings across all competitions and impressed with his all-around ability in and around the 18-yard box.
Why Borussia Dortmund Have Decided Not To Pursue The Transfer
The 22-yard-old is being monitored by many ahead of a potential summer swoop. Still, the latest report from Germany must be relieving for the Hoops which suggests that Borussia Dortmund won’t be pursuing a move for Celtic’s ‘French Eddy’. According to Ruhr24 (as cited by the Daily Record), Edouard is no more in BVB’s shortlist despite their extensive scouting for months.
Although the scouts were in attendance to witness his hat-trick for the Les Bleus’ U21s against Slovakia back in October, a price tag of £30m has put them off as revealed by the German outlet. Dortmund hit the jackpot in the winter transfer window by securing the services of Erling Braut Håland from Red Bull Salzburg. However, they still need another outright centre-forward to challenge and cover the Norwegian teenager.
Boost For Celtic?
Celtic, nevertheless, have plenty of options in the attacking line. Leigh Griffiths rediscovered his lost touch to some extent before the pandemic whereas Patryk Klimala, the Polish youngster who joined in January from Jagiellonia Białystok, is rated highly back in his homeland. Vakoun Issouf Bayo is fighting for a place too and Neil Lennon, as it seems, is well equipped high up the pitch.
Yet a player of Edouard’s stature can’t be replaced instantly, and the Bhoys must explore the market thoroughly to find someone within the budget limit. The Scottish outfit cannot spend a ludicrous amount in the upcoming transfer window, and the £9m Celtic paid to Paris St-Germain for Edouard remains their all-time club-record signing.
While Dortmund have backed out from the race, it is to be seen now how the other clubs react before the upcoming campaign. The player won’t come cheap though and Celtic, known as one of the most notorious negotiators, would need to figure out the best possible deal for their prized asset.
