Napoli set sights on £30m man Edouard

CELTIC striker Odsonne Edouard is a target for Serie A giants Napoli. The Italians have targeted the young Frenchman after taking note of his maturing performances over the past two years and his impressive start to this campaign. Edouard has scored six goals for Celtic this season and hit four in two games for France Under-21s earlier this month. His pace, size and cool finishing have prompted comparisons with compatriot Nicolas Anelka and clubs around Europe are taking a keen interest. Sampdoria, Atalanta and Borussia Dortmund have all expressed admiration for the 21-year old but Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli are willing to make a substantial offer for

Edouard, who Celtic value at around £30million. The Parkhead side signed Edouard from Paris SaintGermain in 2017 after he was spotted by club scout Mick Doherty and recommended by then head of recruitment Lee Congerton, who is now at Leicester City. Though they had an initial chance to sign him outright for £5million, Celtic’s board chose to take him on a season loan with an option to buy. He scored 11 goals in 29 appearances prompting PSG to sell the following summer at an increased price of £9m, while also inserting a substantial sell-on clause. Edouard repaid a slice of that fee with 23 goals last season and is continuing to improve, forging a reputation as one of the most promising strikers in Europe. Celtic are braced for a January bid but would likely postpone any sale talks until the summer as they target a ninth consecutive Premiership title and success in the Europa League. Former Celtic defender Mark Wilson believes the 21-year-old attacker’s reputation is growing by the month. ‘Moussa Dembele, when he moved on, was better,’ said Wilson. ‘But I feel Edouard has the potential to go on and be better. ‘He’s strong — you saw that at Ibrox where I felt he battered the two centre-halves about. ‘Holding the ball up, getting his backside into people… he’s exceptional at that. ‘But also, you can play him off the left if need be. All that adds to his attributes.’ Meanwhile, defender Jozo Simunovic is to undergo knee surgery. The centre-back saw a specialist on Friday and has been booked in for a clean-up operation.