We DON’T want to sell Dembele, insists Rodgers
BRENDAN RODGERS last night claimed Celtic don’t want to sell Moussa Dembele — after the club admitted to kicking out a bid for the striker. Consistently linked with a host of clubs since last summer, the Scottish champions are believed to have turned down a concrete offer from Brighton for the 21-year-old before the English side switched their attention to PSV Eindhoven’s £14million man Jurgen Locadia. Crystal Palace and Stoke City have been heavily linked with a move for Dembele in this window, while Roma were yesterday credited with an interest. With the Frenchman stuck on the bench against Brechin City and Partick Thistle, the widely-held perception has been that Celtic are now attempting to cash in on the man they signed from Fulham in 2016. Assistant manager Chris Davies indicated earlier this week that Dembele wants to leave, but Rodgers yesterday insisted there is no impasse between player and club — and believes he will play a productive part in the second half of the
season if he remains in Glasgow. ‘The situation with Moussa is absolutely fine,’ said Rodgers. ‘The boy has two-and-a-half years left on his deal here but there’s a lot of speculation. ‘We don’t want to sell him. Simple as that. We’ve had one bid that’s come in and it’s way under his value to us. But the message is — we don’t want to sell.’ Explaining why the player remained inactive while fully fit, Rodgers said: ‘His behaviour has been great. Yes, there was a slight focus that moved away, which I can understand and I think everyone can understand why that is. ‘I have said since my first day here that I always pick a team on attitude and energy. Whether someone is playing or not, that’s what we look for and it’s nothing personal. ‘But Moussa has been training well. This is a really unstable time for a lot of players and you’ll have heard about players in this situation downing tools or going AWOL. ‘This kid has never done that. He’s never once asked to leave. I know what his plan (has been) from when I sat with him and his agent. ‘There was an option (to sell) there but the club didn’t want to take it because it was nowhere near the value. We don’t want to sell him. There had been enquiries to the club and to me but I spoke to Peter (chief executive Lawwell) and there was a bid that came in. But nothing’s changed. ‘I don’t think there’s an issue with him. He’s not stomping his feet to leave. ‘Moussa knows where he is at and, if he’s still here for the second part of the season, then he’ll contribute and do well for us.’