According to ex-Hoops manager John Barnes, Celtic may be able to hold on to Arsenal target Odsonne Edouard amid the Covid-19 crisis.
Edouard enjoyed his best season before the coronavirus outbreak in March stopped playing in a Celtic jersey. The 22-year-old had scored 27 goals in all competitions in 45 appearances, helping Neil Lennon ‘s side retain its supremacy over the Scottish football landscape.
For a ninth consecutive year in May, Celtic was awarded the title after the authorities agreed to scrap all remaining fixtures due to Covid-19 ‘s continued threat.
Speculation is now mounting over the future of Edouard in front of the summer transfer window, with Arsenal allegedly lining up a French-forward approach.
Celtic will be able to retain a prized asset, to tighten the purse strings likely with top clubs across Europe and Barnes is confident that due to the financial implications of the coronavirus crisis after an extended period without any matchday revenue is coming in.
The former boss of Hoops told BonusCodeBets: “Celtic is a great team. We know that money plays a huge part in this, but we don’t know what’s going on this summer because I don’t think you’re going to automatically see £ 100 m and £50 m signings after Covid-19.
On Saturday, Lennon revealed that Celtic has already begun talks with Edouard on a new contract, with his existing deal set to expire in the summer of 2022.
Despite Celtic ‘s efforts to bind the striker down to fresh terms, Barnes says his former club will be used to sacrifice their best stars, provided that the Scottish Premier League can not compete in the transfer market with Europe’s top divisions.
He added: “Celtic has no more frustration than if you are a top club in any league where you can not compete with England, Italy, Spain, France, and Germany financially.
