News has broken tonight that Everton are keeping a close eye on Odsonne Edouard, according to Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol.

Just hours after it was reported Russian side and former Carl Starfelt employers Rubin Kazan had lodged a bid for French Eddy, the English side have also put their hat in the ring for the want away Frenchman.

With young Italian striker Moise Kean poised to be one of the replacements for Manchester United-bound Cristiano Ronaldo, and with team-mate Richarlison touted as one of Kylian Mbappe’s like-for-like replacements, there is a gap in the striking department at Goodison Park – something that Edouard has every talent to fill.

Yet, as Everton come under FFP restraints due their lackadaisical way of spending since rich owner Farhad Moshiri came into the club in 2016, the Toffees may have to use some of their fringe players in the deal. Here, The Celtic Star look at three of the players who may make their way up to Paradise should a swap deal come to fruition…

Jonjoe Kenny

Hello darkness, my old friend.

Kenny is a marmite figure at Celtic Park; some loved Kenny in his loan spell at Parkhead, some hated Kenny. Each to their own, but I didn’t think he was particular poor in his time here.

Photo: Jane Barlow

You have to remember that Neil Lennon was the manager when Kenny came in. The guy made Shane Duffy look like Bambi on Ice for twelve months, and now the Irish defender is settling into an established team into the Premier League like there was no hiatus period. Even Anthony Ralston looks brilliant under Ange Postecoglou. That isn’t a dig, but we all thought Ralston wasn’t good enough – and look at him now! Now compare Kenny, who has had a season in the Bundesliga and the Premier League, to back then…I don’t think this would be as bad a signing as some fans would make out.

 

Jarrad Branthwaite

Branthwaite has been billed as one of England’s most promising centre-backs, having signed for the Merseyside at the age of 17 from Carlisle. Now 19, and having spent time on loan at Championship side Blackburn Rovers, Branthwaite is ready for more first-team football – and with Celtic only having Carl Starfelt and Stephen Welsh as their senior centre-halves, Branthwaite could be sent on loan as a sweetener for the season. Adept with both feet, and standing at a colossal 6″5, he could be a temporary Kristoffer Ajer replacement, whilst also getting better as the season goes on. Result.

 

Fabian Delph

Delph would be the best addition of the three.

Yes, he has had his injury problems, but there is still an extremely talented player in there. You can’t be bad at football and play for Manchester City for four seasons – even Scott Sinclair only managed one-fifth of the games and a year less, and look how he turned out for Celtic.

Notorious for being a good player to have in the changing room, Delph is vocal behind the scenes, even doing so at arguably the best side English football has ever seen…

Capable of playing at left-back and anywhere across the midfield, Delph would add a wealth of experience to the Celtic dressing room – replacing (somewhat) the void that Scott Brown left when he parted for Aberdeen. He would certainly be an upgrade on Soro, and with only McGregor and McCarthy capable of being the engine rooms in midfield, Delph would be welcome in open arms by many at Celtic Park.