Losing a player that has developed at your club is always a painful experience. However, unfortunately it is a reality that faces plenty of sides in Scotland and it prove the case at Celtic this summer.
Odsonne Edouard has appeared a top talent ever since arriving at Celtic Park in the summer of 2017, but the Frenchman’s progression over the 12 months has been impressive. With 22 goals in 27 league fixtures, making him a favourite with punters on the 888sport app to score anytime, he has now fully announced himself as one of the most promising young strikers in Europe and with the summer approaching it is looking like an uphill task for Neil Lennon to persuade him to stay.
This summer will be an unusual one though and this makes it more difficult for selling and buying clubs alike. Valuations are likely to fluctuate and prices might be depressed, making things difficult for selling clubs. Luckily for Celtic Eduoard is contracted until the summer of 2022 which protects his value for at least another year, but if he refuses the new terms he is set to be offered the club will need to start thinking about moving him on.
An added consideration for Celtic is the potential for money coming in. No club knows the full impact the season’s shutdown will have on them, but a £30m bid for Eduoard would certainly be difficult to turn down in the current circumstances. Lennon will also have targets of his own and areas in the squad he wants to strengthen and a large sum for the Frenchman will definitely help him fund potential bids.
Unfortunately, transfer window decisions are going to have to be taken with a keen eye on the future this summer, as clubs look to secure their finances. In the case of Eduoard, Celtic may have to play the long game and while it will be a shame to see a player coming into his own leave, it might be for the best.