Celtic have made breakthrough in Edouard contract talks

Celtic appear to have made a breakthrough in their attempts to keep Odsonne Edouard at the club for the foreseeable future.

There is very little doubt that Odsonne Edouard is the best player plying his trade in Scotland right now. But with his contract running down, there have been genuine fears around him leaving Celtic in the near future. Naturally, many fans want to tie him down for the foreseeable future to a new lucrative contract.

Whether that’s likely has so far been one of the many unanswered questions over the summer. Certainly his agent Lasana Koita was quite calm as reported by Glasgow Live after the Hoops dropped down Into the Europa League qualifiers:

"“Odsonne is happy at Celtic and enjoys life in Scotland.“It is not crucial for Odsonne to be playing in the Champions League but it is important. We are going to wait because there is still a target for Celtic. There’s the Europa League and to go for 10 titles.“Ten titles is important for Odsonne.”"

Perhaps now, we’ll see that recognised in practical terms. Football Insider is reporting on a Celtic source indicating we may be getting closer to a really huge step for this ten-in-a-row season. If correct, then we’ll see Odsonne Edouard signing a new Celtic contract likely to secure his services for this season at least. The contract would run for longer but part of the potential agreement is a release clause being agreed and included. The report covers that:

"“New and constructive talks have taken place over a new deal that would see the French striker land a major pay rise and rocket to the top of the club’s pay scales.“An agreement is not yet in place with the centre-forward and his camp but there is a growing confidence from all parties that a deal can be done.”"

Very few if any Celtic fans or even players are likely to deny Edouard that extra reward if it means he’ll be remaining as a Celt this season. The club have apparently indicated agreement to a release clause for his exit after this season.  We all know he’ll be sold at some point, but what a boost for 10iar if this all proves correct.

We have seen what a difference the absence of a striker can make. It’s an even bigger gap when it’s a player like Edouard who is missing. Securing the young Frenchman and his goals, along with what is becoming an excellent transfer window, even if slow at times, is a tremendous boost for fans, players and the club as a whole.  The signings of Ajeti, Duffy and now perhaps Edouard send huge signals of intent.

This could be some season!