£18m Dembele bid reports ‘nonsense’

Celtic yesterday dismissed reports that they have accepted an £18m bid from Premier League side Brighton for striker Moussa Dembele. Parkhead sources described the reports as ‘nonsense’. The French striker has been linked to various clubs after making the move to Celtic Park from Fulham.

Since arriving at Parkhead in 2016, Dembele has hit 40 goals in 68 games, as well as seven goals in ten outings for the French under-21 side.

Brighton manager Chris Hughton is one of the striker’s admirers, and said at the weekend: “He’s a very good player who has had a very good season.

“He is not our player. He just happens to be one of probably 100 names you could mention that I probably would want.”