Celtic will demand a 'big money' permanent deal for Odsonne Edouard or 'nothing', Italian transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has told Give Me Sport.

Romano says that Inter Milan pursued a loan move for the French striker last summer but were rebuffed by Celtic.

Edouard is approaching the final year of his contract at Parkhead, having signed for a club-record fee in 2018.

2020 Inter move was 'impossible' for Edouard

Romano expects the former Paris Saint-Germain striker to push for a move, with no shortage of suitors.

"Last summer he close to leaving Celtic but decided to stay, but now it’s time to decide for a new club probably," the journalist said.

"Let's see if the right bid will arrive, we have to respect Celtic because they’re doing an amazing job with him.

"Last summer Inter were thinking of Edouard as a backup option for Lukaku, but then it was impossible because Celtic wanted a permanent deal and they were offering a loan with an option to buy.

"Also Roma are interested in him… so there are a lot of opportunities for him."

'At the moment there is not a price' for Edouard, Romano says

Celtic apparently have no set fee in mind for the 23-year-old, who has scored 16 goals in 12 caps for France at under-21 level, but a 'big and important' bid will compel the Hoops to sell him and duly enable them to reinvest in their squad.

"If someone wants the player they have to arrive and negotiate, but at the moment there is not a price they have decided because they are happy with the player," Romano said.

"Normally you put a price when you want to sell a player, they would love to keep him, but probably with big and important bids, they need to sell him."

Transfer Tavern verdict

How much, then, Celtic will eventually demand?

At the start of March, the Daily Mail reported that Leicester City had set their sights on the Scottish Premiership's top scorer and that a £15m deal was in the offing.

Reacting to those claims, Celtic's interim manager John Kennedy said the quoted figure was 'far too cheap'. Partly because Edouard's contract is running out, Transfermarkt only value him at £13.5m.

Celtic are under some pressure to sell given that, from next January, the player would be free to negotiate a free transfer with other clubs. However, what may aid them is added competition potentially leading to a bidding war.

Romano named Inter and Roma as prospective suitors, but alongside Leicester, there is also said to be Premier League interest from Liverpool and Arsenal.

This could theoretically push offers close to £20m.

You can view the full interview with Fabrizio Romano on Give Me Sport here!