CARLO ANCELOTTI has had Odsonne Edouard watched by Everton scouts in recent games – and the Italian is ready to smash the Scottish transfer record to buy the Hoops talisman, according to a report in the Daily Mail.
The Goodison gaffer has been promised a massive transfer war chest by the Merseyside club’s hierarchy as he rebuilds the squad for next season.
And Celtic’s 27-goal frontman is on his radar, although boss Neil Lennon insists he wants the 22-year-old to stay at the champions, as CQN reported.
The Parkhead side, zeroing in on their record-equalling ninth successive title, have already begun preliminary moves to offer a contract extension beyond his current deal that expires in June 2022.
Kieran Tierney left Parkhead in the summer in a £25million switch to Arsenal, but it looks as though Ancelotti is prepare to top that with a bid around the £30million mark.
But that figure is unlikely to entice the Hoops to part with the flamboyant frontman who cost a £9million when he arrived from Paris Saint-Germain in June 2018.
It is believed the French giants inserted a significant sell-on clause into the deal when he moved and his value has risen with a 61-goal haul in 123 games.
The Goodsion Park outfit have been frequent visitors to the east end of Glasgow, specifically sending scouts to the back-to-back games against Kilmarnock and FC Copenhagen last month.
Former Hoops chief Brendan Rodgers has already been linked with a summer move to tempt Edouard to Leicester Citty while Jose Mourinho’s Spurs have also been credited with an interest.
Ancelotti was reportedly keen on Edouard when he was in charge of Napoli.
