Villa are likely to be considering various options to improve the striking department after a lacklustre showing in front of goal from our forwards last term.
Whilst there are intensifying rumours linking Villa to Brentford’s Ollie Watkins, there are also links to Celtic’s French striker Odsonne Edouard.
Although the local Birmingham based press were quick to suggest that Villa had registered an interest, an update from north of the border has outlined that there has not yet been any contact between the clubs.
It is known that both cash-strapped Arsenal and Leicester City are monitoring Edouard’s availability, with Villa rumoured to be interested via the tabloids.
Odsonne Edouard
Edouard was signed by Celtic whilst Brendan Rodgers was boss in 2017. The Frenchman joined from PSG for a fee of £9 million in a deal considered the biggest in the clubs history at that time. He signed a four year deal, meaning that his current contract runs until summer 2021.
The former French Under-21 international’s game has been maturing whilst at Parkhead, something that has been attributed to getting the kind of significant game time which he might not have been afforded at PSG.
Edouard has also rattled in the goals, 40 in 60 appearances, whilst also being the top scorer in the Scottish Premiership last season (28). The 22 year old also started the new campaign in fine form, grabbing a hat-trick against Hamilton.
Commenting on rumour surround his star striker, Celtic boss Neil Lennon said:
We can’t help that, it’s inevitable. But we’ll try to stave off any admirers.
I’m sure there are plenty out there, but we love having him here and I’m sure he’s enjoying it.
He’ll be well on the radar of clubs before the start of this season.
He had 28 goals up until March last season and I was delighted with that goal return.
Whilst it’s unlikely that Celtic will have much trouble recouping the fee they paid, there’s widespread speculation indicating that Edouard is valued at an eye-watering £40 million.
An interesting dimension is the striker’s relationship with former Celtic boss Rodgers, now at Leicester.
Leicester, who are heavily linked with Edouard, are expected to use the cash from any sale of Kelechi Iheanacho to fund a move.
Whilst this could see Villa miss out on the Frenchman, it might present the opportunity to move for former Manchester City striker Iheanacho instead. It might also be a more realistic transfer target, as Dean Smith attempts to transition the football club in its second season in the top flight.
The Villa Underground covered links to £25m rated Kelechi Iheanacho recently.
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Iheanacho’s preference to cut in from the right flank might offers balance to Grealish/Watkins/Benrahma’s favouring of doing similar off the left wing.
I can see at least a couple of forward players coming in. For me Watkins looks good, but this has to be diluted a little, given he is currently operating in the Championship. Watkins and Iheanacho might be a realistic combination to pursue, although I do like the technical skills of Buendia, even if he is more of an ‘assister’.