Lubo Moravcik urges Odsonne Edouard to stay at Celtic amid Arsenal links

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Lubo Moravcik has told the Celtic Huddle Podcast that Odsonne Edouard risks making a big mistake by leaving Parkhead this summer amid Premier League interest.

Edouard has been heavily linked with a potential reunion with Brendan Rodgers (talkSPORT) at Leicester City this year, with the Foxes considered to be the favourites for the striker’s signature (Telegraph).

But Arsenal and a clutch of top European sides are also sniffing around the 23-year-old’s situation and have not given up hope of sealing a deal (Telegraph), as the Hoops are expected to cash in should they receive offers worth between £15million and £20m.

The Gunners are hopeful they can raise a similar fee through the sale of Alexandre Lacazette with the forward, like Edouard, set to enter the final year of his current deal in June, while also planning to move on academy product Eddie Nketiah.

Yet Moravcik, who helped Celtic win back-to-back Premiership titles in 2000/01 and 2001/02, does not believe now is the right time for Edouard to follow former teammate Kieran Tierney in heading south of the border.

“I watched him this season and it’s not the best time for him to move, in my opinion,” the Slovakian said. “If you move to an English club you need to play. It’s not a good decision to move and sit on the bench.

“He’s still young, he doesn’t need to rush a move to England or another league. For me, it would be better for him to stay another season and try to have a better season than the last.”

TBR view

While, from a player’s point of view, Edouard staying at Celtic for another season may help the forward to rediscover his best vein of form, it would not be a decision the Hoops can take lightly given his contract is set to expire in 2022.

This summer will be the Premiership giant’s last chance to secure a sizable fee for the former Paris Saint-Germain prospect, who has still managed to top the scoring charts in the Scottish top-flight this term with 17 goals in 29 appearances despite his occasional struggles.

Striker-hungry clubs like Arsenal and Leicester are also lining up potential offers now amid their respective searches for offensive reinforcements, and may pursue alternative targets if Edouard opts to overlook their interest which could leave him out of contention for a move to those clubs next summer.

Edouard’s imminent decision on where he intends to play his club football next season clearly carries consequences beyond just the fee Celtic may receive, and will have to take his time to reach a verdict to ensure it is not looked back on as a mistake in years to come.