Striker Odsonne Edouard remains on loan at Celtic.
Former Celtic striker Simon Donnelly has backed the permanent signing of Odsonne Edouard in an interview with the Scottish Herald, as the Frenchman remains on loan at Celtic.
The Daily Mail claim Celtic would have to splash out £7million to buy the 20-year-old striker, who has scored eight goals in 26 league and cup outings this season.
The 13-time France Under-19 international has impressed when given the chance by Brendan Rodgers, but is amid fearsome competition from fellow countryman Moussa Dembele and fan favourite Leigh Griffiths.
Donnelly believes Brendan Rodgers could make the move to sign Edouard beyond the end of the season, claiming that the former Liverpool manager will know if he is worth the £7million price tag better than anyone else.
“It’s a lot of money for a kid but Brendan is working with him day in and day out – he has seen more than us,” Donnelly said. “His goals to game ratio has been good.
“At times I think he looked a wee bit untidy, but if you look at his goal against Rangers it’s obviously a first class goal at 2-2 in a derby game at Ibrox. I don’t work with the boy. There is potential there, but is he another Dembele? I don’t know.
“From Brendan’s point of view he has to be 100% with it. It will be down to him, it’s his decision – if he is prepared to pay that money instead of going looking for somebody else you have to respect that.”
If Edouard is indeed bought for £7million, then he would become Celtic’s club-record transfer. Chris Sutton and John Hartson currently share the record, being bought for around £6million more than a decade ago.
Edouard is unlikely to start on Sunday afternoon as the Hoops face bitter Old Firm rivals Rangers at Hampden Park in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup – as Rodgers looks to beat the Gers once again to take a huge step towards another treble.
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