Rodgers: We won’t block big moves
BRENDAN RODGERS has insisted that there has been no formal bid for Moussa Dembele – but acknowledged that if and when the money is right it will be difficult to refuse a move for the striker.
There were reports on Christmas Day that Celtic had received a formal bid of £18m from Brighton, news that was rubbished by the Parkhead side.
Rodgers rebuffed that too after the 2-0 win over Dundee yesterday but did admit that if players do leave the club then there are replacements lined up already.
“We don’t want to lose any players, of course,” he said. “And we won’t lose any players. However, if something comes in it goes back to that issue morally.
“If there is something where a player can earn five times as much as what he’s on now, then it is very difficult to stop him, especially if you get a fee for a player.
“But a lot needs to be right. We don’t need to sell anyone. That’s the idea. But I think what is important at Celtic, especially when you are doing well, is you know there’s going to be interest and you have to prepare forward.
“And if we do lose any of our players for reasons I’ve just said, we hope then we’ll have some to bring in and keep the continuation going.”
And the Celtic boss maintained, too, that Dembele’s focus has been unaffected by the speculation.
The Frenchman came on for the last 10 minutes of yesterday’s game and Rodgers does not anticipate that his concentration will drop.
“We are very fortunate the players are very focused on what we want to achieve,” said Rodgers.
“What the difference is with this group of players is the consistency with the motivation.”