FRENCH CLUBS STEP UP CHASE TO SIGN CELTS ACE DEMBELE

Lyon and Marseille lead the chase for Celtic striker

CELTIC were bracing themselves last night for a French auction for the services of striker Moussa Dembele, after reports across the channel claimed Lyon had joined Marseille in the running for the player’s signature.

The 22-year-old, plucked from Fulham for a paltry £500,000 sum two seasons ago, has long seemed likely to eventually become one of the most profitable players in Scottish football history, his value soaring to around the £30m mark as all the top sides in England sized him up during his first season at the club.

While no concrete bids from England materialised before the transfer deadline south of the border, failure to qualify for the Champions League has apparently encouraged top sides in France to test the water.

Marseille, thought to be long-term admirers, are thought to have had the

player watched against Hamilton on Sunday.

While as of yesterday there had been no formal approach to the club for the player, reports in France suggest that the side from the South of France had begun talking about the broad outline of a deal, potentially involving Valere German in a player-plus-cash deal.

While Celtic would be hugely reluctant to sell the player especially with so little time to source a replacement, Lyon may have deeper pockets than Marseille and the chance to move to one of the top clubs in his country may hold an appeal.

They are in the market for a striker as a replacement for Spanish striker Mariano, who yesterday re-joined Real Madrid.

Celtic are thought to remain interested in Douglas Luiz, Manchester City’s Brazilian midfielder, who is available on-loan after being refused a work permit to be part of their Premier League squad this season.

No bids are thought to have been in the offing yesterday for Aberdeen’s Scott McKenna.