Celtic have been given a boost with the news that AC Milan are nearing the completion of a deal for Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic. This means that Odsonne Edouard won’t be swapping Glasgow for Milan this month, despite reports linking the Frenchman with a move to Italy.
Mandzukic, 34, will be signed as a free agent and will give Milan an alternative to Zlatan Ibrahimovic. After the defeat to Milan at the San Siro, Edouard was linked with a move to the Serie A leaders for a £30m fee. According to iNews24, as reported by the Daily Record, Edouard is seen as being a replacement for 39-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
🗣️ #Maldini says Mandzukic signing confirms strategy and touches on Tomorihttps://t.co/WQTfSfF9Pw
— SempreMilan (@SempreMilanCom) January 18, 2021
Edouard scored Celtic’s second in the Europa League clash before the defensive collapse gave Milan the win but Paolo Maldini sees him as one of three potential candidates to replace the Swedish striker.
Celtic managed to fend off interest in Edouard in the summer transfer window with the word on the street being that the 22-year-old rejected three times his current pay packet to stay with Neil Lennon’s side. With 13 goals in 8 appearances, Edouard has taken over from former colleague Moussa Dembele in becoming both the talisman for Celtic and the French U21s.
The Frenchman was in incredible form last season, scoring 28 goals and notching 12 assists in 45 appearances in all competitions as Celtic steamed towards matching Jock Stein’s 1974 record. Although this season, COVID-19 and some indifferent performances have seen him fail to hit the heights of last year.
he French striker has eighteen months remaining on his current Celtic deal and has been linked with a multi-million move from the club since the summer. However, now we have been given the clearest indication that the 22-year-old is planning for his future by joining Stellar Sports.
