SOUTHAMPTON have joined the transfer battle for Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard.
SunSport understands the Hoops striker has been added to the Premier League outfit’s summer hitlist.
Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl is anxious to bolster his forward options having seen his side tumble down the table over the course of the season.
Edouard has been watched closely by the club in recent weeks.
Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers remains an admirer of the French star as Celtic are expected to cash in during the summer transfer window for £20million-plus.
Southampton are also looking at Nice striker Evann Guessand, who is currently impressing on loan at Swiss outfit Lausanne-Sport.
Club record £10m-signing Edouard is approaching the final year of his Celts deal.
And he is believed to be seeking a fresh challenge after four years at Parkhead, where he has scored 85 goals in 167 games.
Arsenal, Roma and Aston Villa are among a host of other clubs interested — with Southampton seen as outsiders.
But the south coast outfit have a strong connection with Celtic and believe they can offer Edouard a clear pathway to the very top.
Victor Wanyama, Fraser Forster, Virgil van Dijk and Stuart Armstrong have all moved from the Hoops to the Saints since 2013 — and seen their careers propelled to new levels.
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Eddie Howe — who could finally be confirmed as Celtic boss early next week — may well seek to talk Edouard into staying.
But everything points to the former PSG starlet still wanting out.
The French giants are due a significant portion of any sell-on fee.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
