LEICESTER CITY are closing in on top summer target Odsonne Edouard after agreeing a £15million transfer in principle with Celtic.
The 23-year-old French striker cost Celtic a club-record £8million from Paris Saint-Germain in 2018.
WIN £50,000! Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game
He formed a strong bond with Brendan Rodgers, who described him as the best young player he had ever worked with.
Now the Foxes boss is set to be reunited with the prolific striker who has scored 55 goals in 75 Scottish Premiership starts for Celtic to become the pin-up boy of Parkhead.
Rodgers’ relationship with Edouard, who has entered the final year of his Celtic contract, gave him the edge over fellow admirers Arsenal and Inter Milan.
The Gunners remain on the hunt for a new striker, especially as Eddie Nketiah looks set to leave the Emirates this summer while Alexandre Lacazette may also be offloaded.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang endured a below-par season last term but Mikel Arteta cannot offer Eduoard European football.
The Frenchman has rejected the offer of a new, improved deal and wants out after Celtic finished 25 points behind Steven Gerrard’s title-winning Rangers side last season.
Despite a poor season by his own high standards, Edouard still scored 22 goals and believes teaming up with Rodgers again will help him make a smooth transition to the Premier League.
Rodgers sees Edouard as a potential successor to Jamie Vardy, who turns 35 next season, and wants him to compete with Kelechi Iheanacho for a starting place next season.
BETTING SPECIAL – GET ENGLAND TO WIN EURO 2020 AND HARRY KANE TO BE TOP SCORER AT 18/1
WIN £50,000 with Dream Team Euros
Dream Team Euros is HERE!
The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
Dream Team Euros
- £50,000 jackpot
- The best fantasy football game this summer
- Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
- FREE to play
Iheanacho’s stunning form in the second half of the campaign propelled him to 19 goals to end as Leicester’s top scorer, two clear of Vardy.
As well as pushing to break back into the top four, City will also have a Europa League campaign to negotiate and Rodgers is keen for a bolstered squad to challenge on all fronts.
Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare is expected to complete his £20m switch to the King Power in the coming days.
Celtic do not want to confirm the sale of Edouard until they have received Uefa clearance to appoint new boss Ange Postecoglou from Yokohama F Marinos, amid fan unrest.
⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
