By Ross Kennerley
Arsenal are set to miss out on signing Odsonne Edouard in the summer transfer window despite the striker being available for a minimal fee.
In the hunt for striker reinforcements in the upcoming window, Arsenal have been linked with a host of players to come in and replace likely departees Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah.
The need for a new No. 9 will be exacerbated by the latest developments on Folarin Balogun’s situation, with the 19-year-old now almost certain to move on at the end of the season.
Facing the potential of three centre-forwards moving on, Odsonne Edouard had been earmarked as Mikel Arteta’s key target to come in and bolster the numbers.
Arsenal suffer hammer blow as Odsonne Edouard pursuit is set to end in failure as Leicester close in on stunning £15m transfer
However, despite being listed as the club’s number one target, Leicester have jumped ahead of Arsenal and Roma in the hunt, with the Daily Mail reporting that the Foxes believe they’ve won the race for his signature ahead of a summer transfer.
Edouard is said to be keen on reuniting with former Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers at the King Power Stadium and will come in as the long-term replacement for 34-year-old Jamie Vardy.
More upsetting is the cut-price fee that Leicester will pay to secure his services. An agreement is nearing completion on a transfer that will only put the club back £15m, a sum so meagre given the Frenchman has less than 18 months left on his deal as well as a sell-on fee of roughly 40% that is owed to his former club Paris Saint-Germain.
The news will come as a huge blow to Edu who have been tasked with sourcing a striker this window and made a solid inquiry for the 23-year-old this March.
Some concerns had arisen about Edouard’s suitability to the Premier League having reached his impressive goal figures in the Scottish Premiership, but given the calibre of sides interested and the bargain fee he look set to leave for, Arsenal have certainly missed a trick.
A well-rounded centre-forward with the technical ability required to function in an Arsenal side regularly dealing with low-blocks, his height, speed and intelligence would’ve also made for an ideal fit.
NEXT: Bissouma or Anguissa?
Other targets have been mentioned in recent months and the pursuit of a No. 9 now looks set to rumble on.
