Arsenal told potential Lacazette replacement could be bought for £15m

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 17 May 2021 18:43 BST
• 2 min read

Arsenal have been told that Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard, a man often touted to replace Alexandre Lacazette at the Emirates Stadium, could be bought for just £15 million this summer.

Lacazette has had a difficult campaign with the Gunners and it is thought that they are considering alternatives – with Edouard towards the top of that list.

Although the former France Under-21 international has had a relatively quiet season with Celtic, he has still mustered 82 goals in 157 appearances for the Glasgow club.

With his contract up in 2022 and an extension unlikely, the Hoops are likely to be forced into selling Edouard this summer.

Former Celtic striker Andy Walker believes his value, therefore, will have dropped significantly.

“Odsonne Edouard realises that he’s got ability and is worth a lot of money,” Walker told the Scottish Football Podcast. “How much? I’m not sure, as he’s not been firing on all cylinders.”

Walker says that Celtic should have sold Edouard last summer, when they had more leverage and when the player expected to go.

He continued: “Let’s say they paid £9m for him but any player who switches off – I think that’s alarming for any potential suitor.

“I know that it’s your job as the manager and the coaching staff to keep players on board but Edouard, Olivier Ntcham and a few others didn’t get the moves that they were expecting last summer.

“Neil Lennon highlighted as much after the defeat to Ferencvaros. He wanted players to just leave, but that was just one of the problems that Celtic had at the start of the season.

“Edouard didn’t appear totally committed, and I think now he realises it’s not so long until the summer transfer window.

“He’ll get his move now, so how much money will Celtic get for him?

“It all depends on how much they’re willing to accept, but if they got anything around £15m now I think you’re absolutely doing business.”

Edouard has been linked with Arsenal in the past and has scored eight goals in his last seven league outings for Celtic.