Aston Villa preparing tempting contract offer to secure £30m Celtic star

Odsonne Edouard

Aston Villa are hoping that the offer of a bumper contract will be enough to convince Celtic star Odsonne Edouard to sign for the club this summer. 

Villa are in the market for a new striker after seeing their current options net just six league goals between them last season.

Their lack of goals almost cost them their top flight place, but a draw at West Ham on the final day saw them survive by the skin of their teeth.

Therefore, they are looking to bring in a new forward as they aim to avoid similar struggles next term.

And it appears that they have identified their number one target in Edouard. The 22-year-old has scored 64 goals in just 122 appearances for Celtic and has been heavily linked with a move away.

Arsenal, Leicester and Crystal Palace are interested, while newly promoted Leeds are also said to be keen.

But according to the Sun, Villa will be the first team to make a bid for the Frenchman. They say the Villains are readying a club record £30million offer for the in-demand player.

However, the report adds Villa may struggle to persuade Edouard to move to Villa Park given their recent struggles. Edouard may be more tempted by a move to a club who are fighting for European football.

With that in mind, Villa are hoping that the temptation of high wages will be appealing enough to Edouard for him to put pen to paper with the Midlands club.

Of course, Villa’s bid must first be accepted, and there is no guarantee that will happen. Particularly as Celtic value Edouard at closer to £40million, so may attempt hold out for a higher fee.

Villa have other options

Should their swoop for Edouard fail, Villa are reportedly looking at a number of other potential targets.

Brentford’s Ollie Watkins is one of those after his strong year in the Championship. Reports earlier this week even stated they are expected to make their move for the 24-year-old in the coming days.

Liverpool’s Divock Origi is another name that has been mentioned. The Belgian is thought to be open to leaving the Reds, as long as he can find another Premier League team.

Read more about Villa’s striker shortlist here…