John Hartson has warned Leeds United and Aston Villa that signing Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard would cost them ‘£40 million plus’ and he ‘wants him to stay’ at Parkhead, as he told Sky Sports Football (09/08/20 at 4:10 pm).
The Sunday Mirror (09/08/20, page 66) have claimed that Leeds have made Edouard their number one striker target during this transfer window.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa are another club keen on the Celtic hitman’s services, according to the Sun.
Despite the interest in Edouard, former Arsenal and Bhoys striker, Hartson, thinks it will take some serious cash to prize him away from Glasgow.
“I don’t think it’s about money for Edouard, personally,” Hartson told Sky Sports. “He is still very young, he will earn money and he will earn lots and lots of money during his career.
“It’s just a case of what he wants to do. Whether he is willing to stay for the fight this year and stay at Celtic. Whether or not his head gets turned in terms of a European club or a big club down in England in the Premier League. We all want him to stay. Celtic’s manager wants him to stay. The Celtic board probably want him to stay.
“Again, Celtic have been known to sell players when the right offer comes in at the right price. What would you price him at now? [Moussa] Dembele went the season before [to Lyon] for £20 million.
“Chelsea were looking to pay £70 million for Dembele from Lyon, so why let him go for cheap? If you are going to sell Edouard, you have to get top dollar for him and I am talking £40 million plus.”
Leeds earned promotion to the Premier League during the recently concluded campaign and they do need depth up top.
Patrick Bamford is their only out-and-out striker, with Tyler Roberts also having the capabilities of playing in that position, but more quality legs are needed.
As for Villa, they survived relegation to the Championship on the last day of the campaign and Dean Smith needs to add to his pretty blunt attack.
Whilst the Midlands outfit need Premier League experience in that area more than anything, Edouard would be a risk, but perhaps a risk worth taking.
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