NEIL LENNON has revealed Celtic have opened talks with Odsonne Edouard over a contract extension.
The talismanic French striker has two years of his current deal to run, but the Hoops boss is desperate to enhance his terms NOW!
Lennon sees Edouard, who scored 28 goals during the season before the mid-March lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, is seen as paramount as the champions aims for a historic 10 successive crowns.
As usual, the flamboyant 22-year-old attacker has been attracting attention in the transfer market, but that does not concern the Parkhead gaffer.
Lennon admitted the Hoops’ hierarchy have officially begun negotiations with the player who cost the club a transfer record fee of £9million when he arrived from Paris Saint-Germain in June 2018 after an impressive year-long loan.
Scotland’s title kings are determined to keep the French Under-21 international for at least one more season and the manager plans face-to-face talks when the squad assembles on Thursday for training in preparation for the new term.
The Irishman, speaking to the Sunday Mail, said: “Yes, there are talks with Edouard now. These are ongoing with his representatives.
“Ultimately, he’s a player we want around. He had a magnificent season and we want to keep him. It’s as simple as that.
“We’re doing everything we can to keep him here for at least another season.
“I think he’s happy here. He has got a fantastic relationship with his team-mates and you can see how much the fans appreciate him, which is reciprocated.
“Odsonne’s grown into a top-class striker and of course, there’s going to be speculation around him, but we’re comfortable with the position we’re in.
“He seems pretty happy and we’re looking forward to seeing him at training.
“We’d love to discuss things with him, and a few other players, as well.”
Edouard is due to go to Lennoxtown along with the rest of the squad for coronavirus testing ahead of the return to outside training near the end of the week.
