Former Celtic striker John Hartson has suggested that incoming manager Eddie Howe will be able to retain talisman Odsonne Edouard. The 23-year-old has just one year remaining on his deal at Paradise; however, he is widely expected to depart this summer with a whole host of clubs interested, including Leicester, Arsenal and Brighton.
Speaking to Go Radio via the Record, Hartson said that the imminent arrival of Howe could force a rethink from players that are eyeing the Parkhead exit door.
“There’s almost a school of thought and expectancy from everyone – and I mean everyone – that he’s going.
“The club might well not get the right transfer fee for him, somebody’s got to come in and pay the money Celtic value him at.
“I actually know that Edouard loves playing for Celtic. He really, really does.
“Everybody seems to think – and I’m the worst culprit for it, I’ve been saying Edouard will go – what’s he worth? What’s he going to go for?
“But, listen, it wouldn’t be beyond all reason if he was to stay.
“What if Eddie Howe comes and is saying to the owners, ‘look, I want to come and by the way I love this kid we’ve got, this centre-forward Edouard. I would love to keep him, give me half an hour with him’?
“We don’t know these things. There is this thought process that he will leave but he said today he can’t wait to play in front of the fans again.”
Despite a quiet season by his previous standards, the attacker has scored 22 goals and assisted 6 in 38 games this season as Celtic relinquished the treble in season that fans will hope can be quickly forgotten. The player actually shared a photo saying that he cannot wait for fans to be back in the ground, sparking rumours that he may fancy sticking around.
The ex-PSG youngster’s value will have dipped with a year to go on his contract but the club will no doubt still demand £20m for their star striker, who is the top scorer in the league this year – despite Celtic’s abysmal season. With 16 goals in 12 games, Edouard has an incredible goalscoring record with France’s U21s, L’Espoirs.
Some at the club may harbour hope of retaining Edouard and offering him a bumper deal in the hope that he can recapture his best form whilst maxing Celtic’s price.
