Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy appears determined to revamp his attacking options, with Odsonne Edouard and Patson Daka potentially facing the axe as the club seeks fresh firepower.
With the Foxes desperate to avoid relegation, Van Nistelrooy is prioritising the recruitment of a new striker to support veteran forward Jamie Vardy.
Edouard, currently on a season-long loan from Crystal Palace, has failed to make an impact at the King Power Stadium. The former Celtic striker is now expected to see his loan deal terminated in January to free up a spot for a new signing.
Should Edouard depart, Leicester will be able to target another loan player next month. Brighton’s Facundo Buonanotte has already caught the club’s eye and currently occupies the other domestic loan slot.
Meanwhile, Daka, who has recently returned from injury, is also rumoured to be available as Leicester look to bolster their goal-scoring options.
The decision to cut ties with Edouard follows stinging comments from his former manager at Crystal Palace, Oliver Glasner. Speaking candidly about the striker’s struggles, Glasner offered little hope for a return to Selhurst Park.
He remarked:
“We always follow our loan players. But, to be honest, especially this week with three games, it’s not my highest priority to think about Odsonne [Edouard].
“I don’t know about the contract details. From our side, it makes no sense to bring him back because if he’s not playing at Leicester, then why should he play for Crystal Palace?
“It was the same situation in the summer. Maybe he decided to get more minutes there. We explained the situation. The situation didn’t change at the end of the transfer window. It’s up to him and his agent. If he doesn’t get minutes at Leicester, then maybe he finds another loan. But it’s not the case of him coming back to play.
“It’s all about competition and performance. If you make a loan deal, it’s clear what every party wants. For Leicester, they want a good player to help them win games.
“For Odsonne, it’s about getting minutes to improve his performances and score goals.
“For us, it’s the same, so when he comes back, he’s in a better situation than when he left. He didn’t get many minutes there, so the situation is even worse when he comes back. It just makes no sense.”
The mounting uncertainty surrounding Odsonne Edouard’s future has sparked speculation of a sensational return to Celtic, the club where he enjoyed his most prolific spell.
With Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner making it clear that a recall to Selhurst Park is not on the cards, the door could be open for the Frenchman to reignite his career at Parkhead.
Celtic fans, who have never hidden their admiration for the striker’s exploits during his time in Glasgow, have been vocal on social media, urging the club to bring him back.
Given his struggles in England, a return to familiar surroundings, where he once thrived and became a fan favourite, might provide the perfect setting for Edouard to rediscover his form and confidence.
Whether Celtic will act on this growing interest remains to be seen, but a move back to Scotland could be the lifeline Edouard needs to revive his career.
