Why Celtic signing Kyle Edwards on loan would be a useful move
According to The Scottish Sun, Celtic have been linked with a loan move for out-of-favour West Brom winger Kyle Edwards ahead of the January window.
The 22-year-old has only started once in the Premier League for the relegation-threatened Baggies this season so far and is keen to play regularly at the highest level. Celtic boss Neil Lennon is eyeing up additions to bolster his attack next month and has identified the former England U-20 starlet as a potential target. (h/t Scottish Sun)
As per the report, a loan deal for the winger could even become permanent next summer, with Edwards’ contract at the Hawthorns due to expire at the end of the season.
Profile
Kyle Edwards joined West Brom’s youth set-up at the age of 6 and went on to represent the club across various age groups. He spent time on loan at Exeter City in League Two and eventually made his senior breakthrough for the Baggies in the Championship during the 2018-19 season.
He scored twice in 26 league appearances for the club in the second-tier in the following campaign as the Midlands outfit secured automatic promotion back to the Premier League. However, Edwards has found regular game time hard to come by in the top-flight this season, playing a meagre 114 minutes of league football so far.
The academy graduate found himself down the pecking order under former manager Slaven Bilic and with new boss Sam Allardyce weighing up some fresh additions to his squad in January (h/t Scottish Sun), Edwards’ future at the Hawthorns looks bleak.
Edwards would be an exciting addition for Celtic
Celtic have long been crying out for some investment in the wide attacking areas. The departures of Jonny Hayes, Lewis Morgan and Scott Sinclair in recent windows have rendered the Hoops short of cover in that department. James Forrest, youngster Mikey Johnston and Southampton loanee Mohamed Elyounoussi are currently the only recognised wingers at the club.
However, with Johnston still on the comeback trail following a long-term injury and Forrest out for another six weeks, Celtic can certainly do with some fresh additions to their forward line.
The Hoops recently completed a historic quadruple-treble with a victory over Hearts in the Scottish Cup final. But they are in dire need of some transfer spark in January, having won just 5 of their last 15 games in all competitions.
Putting things into context, Kyle Edwards ticks plenty of boxes to come through the door as a quality addition to Celtic’s attack in January. The West Brom graduate is predominantly a left-winger by trade but has also been utilised out wide on the other flank and through the middle as an attacking midfielder.
Verdict
Kyle Edwards might have struggled for game time in the Premier League but his talent and potential can hardly be overlooked. The winger boasts an impressive record for West Brom at the youth level and proved his worth as a squad player in the Championship last term.
His searing pace, coupled with his versatility to operate in multiple positions across the forward line, would make him a real asset to Celtic’s attack.
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The 22-year-old still has plenty of room for development and Celtic can even look at the possibility of keeping him at the club for the long-term if he manages to prove himself during his loan spell.
