BRUCIE’S ODS-ON WINNER
Edouard tops Toon list
NEWCASTLE have targeted Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard as the striker to solve their goalscoring problems.
Boss Steve Bruce has held a series of video meetings with the club’s transfer team in the past few weeks.
And it is the 22-year-old Frenchman who has emerged as their top target.
Bruce (inset) is also keeping tabs on another forward north of the border
– Rangers ace Alfredo Morelos, who he has previously admitted publicly he would be keen on if the feisty Colombian was available.
But it is Edouard who is the player Newcastle would love to have at St James’ Park next season.
Celtic will fight tooth and nail to hang on to a forward widely regarded as their best since the legendary Henrik Larsson.
But just as they were powerless to prevent Moussa Dembele leaving two years ago, they would struggle to turn down a bid in excess of £30m.
Edouard has scored 62 goals since arriving at Parkhead from Paris Stgermain, initially on loan before joining for a club record £9m.
His value has soared since, with the forward showing his class both in Scottish football and in Europe.
Bruce’s son, Alex, who recently played for Kilmarnock, provided his own glowing reference to the Newcastle boss, claiming Edouard was the best player he had faced in recent seasons.
The Magpies would face stiff competition for the France Under-21 ace, with Lyon expected to make a move if they were to lose Dembele. Everton had also watched him before football ground to a halt.
Within St James,’ there is a realisation that while Joelinton will not be cast aside, the £40m record buy is never likely to be the goalscoring No.9 they desperately need.
The Brazilian’s only Premier League goal came in August and Newcastle are the top flight’s lowest scorers.