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Arsenal are upping their offer to sign Odsonne Edouard from Celtic this window, according to reports, with their current bid totalling £22.5m including add-ons.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MARCH 07: Odsonne Edouard of Celtic is seen prior to the Ladbrokes Premiership match between Celtic and St. Mirren at Celtic Park on March 07, 2020 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND: Odsonne Edouard of Celtic is seen prior to the Ladbrokes Premiership match on March 07, 2020. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Speaking on The Transfer Window Podcast this week, Ian McGarry claimed Arsenal have placed a second bid for Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard.

The Gunners are reportedly offering £20m, with add-ons up to the value of £2.5m. However, as with the Kieran Tierney transfer last summer, they’re planning to pay the fee in instalments over four years.

Arsenal initially made an offer of £15m, but Celtic rejected it. According to previous reports, they’re willing to go as high as €25m for the forward.

Celtic are trying to fill the financial hole left by their failure to qualify for Champions League football this summer, so a deal isn’t impossible. I still think it heavily relies on Arsenal selling Alexandre Lacazette first, though.

It just doesn’t seem likely the Gunners invest in another striker whilst they still have Lacazette. The club also have Eddie Nketiah, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabriel Martinelli and bigger problems to deal with in midfield.

But with Aubameyang close to a new contract, it’s not impossible Arsenal are thinking about moving Lacazette on.

He scored 11 goals in his first campaign, 22 in his second and 27 in the third before COVID ended it early. He also has four goals in four games in the early stage of this season.

Last update: 3 September 2020

Odsonne Edouard remains a top target for Arsenal this summer, who are showing huge interest in the 22-year-old Celtic striker.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MARCH 07: Odsonne Edouard of Celtic scores his team's third goal during the Ladbrokes Premiership match between Celtic and St. Mirren at Celtic Park on March 07, 2020, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND: Odsonne Edouard of Celtic scores his team’s third goal on March 07, 2020. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The Daily Record report that Edouard remains a top target for Arsenal. Celtic aren’t keen to sell, particularly as they attempt to win their 10th consecutive league title. But the Gunners remain in for the centre-forward.

Brighton also expressed an interest, but the player’s camp quickly turned them down.

Speaking on The Transfer Window Podcast, Ian McGarry added that Arsenal are willing to pay around €25m for the striker. In contrast to the Record’s report, he suggested Celtic would be willing to sell for the right price.

Duncan Castles confirmed that Celtic are looking to fill the financial hole created by the absence of Champions League football.

It seems very unlikely Arsenal make any kind of move unless they sell a forward first. The most likely candidate is Alexandre Lacazette, considering Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is so close to a new contract.

Long-standing Arsenal interest in Edouard

celtic v st mirren ladbrokes scottish premiership
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND: Odsonne Edouard of Celtic is prior to the Ladbrokes Premiership match on March 07, 2020. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Earlier in the summer, The Telegraph also claimed Arsenal held an interest in Edouard.

The striker has two seasons left on his current contract, and English clubs reportedly believe he could make a quick transition to Premier League football.

Edouard joined Celtic from PSG in 2018, and he’s improving with each season in Scotland.

He scored 11 goals in his first campaign, 22 in his second and 27 in the recently-curtailed third. He also has four goals in four games in the early stage of this season.

Internationally, the striker has 11 goals in six games for the France u21s, scoring in every appearance so far. Often more than once. It’s a big jump to the Premier League, but Edouard is clearly showing his potential.