Celtic have already pulled off one blockbuster return this summer, bringing back Kieran Tierney. Now, they are being linked with another one. Rumours have emerged that the club are monitoring the situation of Odsonne Edouard, who is on Crystal Palace's transfer list in this window. Brendan Rodgers is believed to be eyeing a reunion with the Frenchman he had brought to Parkhead in his first spell.
Edouard would go on to enjoy four brilliant seasons with Celtic before leaving for the Premier League. His stint down in England has not even been mediocre. In three seasons with Crystal Palace, he scored just 21 times. He spent the previous campaign on loan at Leicester City and went without scoring a single goal.
So, it is not hard to understand why Crystal Palace would want to find him a new permanent home. And even easier to see why Celtic might want to bring back someone who scored 20-plus goals for them in three consecutive seasons.
But there is one major stumbling block to any deal to bring back the Frenchman to Parkhead. As reported by the Daily Record, Edouard earns a base salary that is north of £70,000 a week at Selhurst Park.
Odsonne Edouard will make Celtic return only on one condition
Celtic won't be able to match that figure, or even come close. That is pretty clear. So, Edouard would have to take a significant pay cut if he wants a return to Glasgow.
That being said, he has only a year left on his contract at Crystal Palace. He will have to depart, whether this summer or the following one. Does Edouard want to have another bad season?
That would make it even more difficult for him to get a good deal in the future. It is hard to imagine that too many teams would be willing to offer him what he gets at Crystal Palace now. So, he needs to make a decision.
Then, there is the matter of the transfer fee. What kind of figure would Crystal Palace want to part ways with Edouard this summer?