STAYING POWER
Lennon reveals Celtic talks to keep Edouard for 10 in a row
NEIL LENNON last night confirmed Celtic are in talks with Odsonne Edouard over a new and improved contract that would stave off transfer interest and keep the striker at Parkhead for the pursuit of a 10th consecutive title.
The French forward still has two years to run on the deal he signed when he made his club-record £9million transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in 2018 but has been linked with a host of sides this summer, including Newcastle United and Arsenal.
Speaking as he accepted the William Hill Manager of the Year award from the Scottish Football Writers’ Association, Lennon conceded that the retention of the 22-year-old is the top priority at Celtic.
The sale of the £30m-rated Edouard may ultimately be unavoidable but Lennon would like to postpone it for at least another 12 months.
He said: ‘There are ongoing discussions with Odsonne’s representatives. He is a fantastic
player, he’s really blossomed over the last couple of seasons and we really want him around.
‘He had a magnificent season this year and we want to keep him. It’s as simple as that.
‘Everyone at the club wants him here and we’re doing everything we can to keep him here for at least another season anyway.’
Edouard netted 28 club goals plus a further 11 for the French Under-21 squad before the coronavirus crisis.
Lennon has taken encouragement from the fact the forward neglected the opportunity to return to France during lockdown, instead choosing to stay in Glasgow. He hopes Edouard will be minded to stick around for at least another campaign.
‘I think he is happy,’ added Lennon. ‘I’ve never seen any dissent from him in any shape or form with regard to anything we do at the club.
‘He’s got a fantastic relationship with me certainly and also my backroom team and his team-mates.
‘You can see how much the supporters appreciate him as well. I think that’s reciprocated.
‘He seems pretty happy and we’re all looking forward to seeing him at training this Thursday. We can sit down with him and a few other players to discuss our plans going forward.’
Lennon would also jump at the opportunity to re-sign goalkeeper Fraser Forster. Although reduced terms have been offered to Craig Gordon, the Scotland international became a free agent on June 1, leaving Scott Bain as the only contracted first-team keeper on the books.
Forster excelled during a seasonlong loan from Southampton and Lennon would love to bring the England cap back.
‘That’s one that obviously we would like to do but we will need to take a steer off Southampton,’ he said.
‘I am not aware of dialogue but if we could get some sort of encouragement on that front we will definitely speak to them.’