Arsenal ‘table £22.5m transfer bid’ for striker with Lacazette ‘in Juve talks’

Arsenal have offered £22.5m for Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard as they prepare for life without Alexandre Lacazette.

Edouard has enjoyed two prolific seasons with the Celtic champions and has been tipped for big things.

Some have hailed the Frenchman as the club’s best striker since the legendary Henrik Larson.

And the Gunners have tabled a bid just north of £20m as they look to lure him south of the border.

Edouard scored 28 times last term having bagged 23 the year before that.

Arsenal’s motive for the move is based on the uncertainty surrounding Lacazette’s future.

Journalists Duncan Castles and Ian McGarry said on The Transfer Window podcast that the former Lyon man has held talks with Juvenuts.

Lacazette moved to the Emirates in 2017 but has spent much of his time in north London playing second fiddle to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Arsenal are prepared to sell Lacazette as they aim to raise funds to strengthen the team in other areas.

The Frenchman has a £37m price tag with Atletico Madrid also interested in the 29-year-old.

Edouard would allow Arsenal to plug the gap possibly left by Lacazette while also leaving cash spare.

Celtic have rejected an opening bid of £15m with the Gunners second bid of £22.5m being paid over four years, which is similar to the deal that saw Kieran Tierney move to the Emirates last summer.

The Glasgow outfit, who are targeting their tenth straight title, are keen to have a greater upfront payment however which could hinder negotiations.

Celtic boss Neil Lennon recently claimed that he hopes Edouard remains at Parkhead for the long-term.

He said: “I’d love to give him new deal – I’d give him a five-year deal tomorrow. If there’s something in the offing then brilliant.

“Odsonne’s improving all the time. He’s a talismanic player for us – he’s been absolutely magnificent this season.

“But I think there’s more to come from him. I hope he’s doing that here with us.