Arsenal have been warned Celtic's Odsonne Edouard would not be an ideal replacement for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang if the Gunners captain were to leave this summer.
Edouard has been banging in goals in the Scottish Premier League with Celtic on course to once again defend their title successfully.
The Gunners face a difficult scenario with Aubameyang, whose contract is up next summer, and Edouard has been tipped as a good alternative.
But former Arsenal midfielder and Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas feels it's too early to consider Edouard for a key role at the Emirates.
"He could certainly play at Arsenal because the way they play, his style would be more than suitable for it," Nicolas told Sky Sports. "The problem is getting the judgement right over whether he's ready right now, playing every week for Arsenal compared to who is there already.
"He certainly would not come to England straightaway and score 20 to 25 goals in a season unless Arsenal find a renewed belief and they get the whole team right."
Nicolas drew on similarities in the styles of play between Edouard and Alexandre Lacazette, and suggested the Hoops striker boasts different qualities to Aubameyang which would not make him a suitable like-for-like replacement.
Edouard has been impressing in Scotland, with the 22-year-old netting 22 goals and providing seven assists in the league this season.
Celtic value the Frenchman at around £40million, which Nicolas feels - given the current economic climate - could put Arsenal off making a move, unless they can sell Lacazette.
Nicholas added: "His attitude has improved sufficiently enough to tell me he will become a top player but I am not quite convinced teams will yet be looking at him as a £40m player.
"He wants to be the key figurehead of the team as the link man through the middle. For that reason, I do not see Arsenal targeting him as a replacement for Aubameyang."
