‘I think there’ll be something’ – Manager responds to Celtic transfer speculation about 21-year-old
By Russell Edge
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has poured cold water on rumours that star striker Moussa Dembele is set to leave but admitted he will be sold sooner rather than later.
Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol reported on his personal Twitter account that French side Marseille had held talks over the weekend with regards to a potential transfer, after the 21-year-old starred for the Hoops last season.
However, such claims have been brushed aside by Rodgers, who insists that the striker’s departure from the club is not something which he foresees as happening any time soon.
Instead, he believes that any transfer may happen next summer, with the French youngster continuing to learn and develop at the club for another season.
When asked about the rumours at a press conference ahead of their Champions League qualifier against Rosenborg, he was quoted by Sky Sports News as saying: “There’s nothing in it from our perspective.
“I felt if he progressed how we thought he’d progress and if he wanted to move at any time, it was going to be after the second year.
“I think there’ll be something at some point in his career here where there’s an offer that, for both parties, is a sensible one.
“But it’s certainly nowhere near that for us at this moment in time.”
Rodgers’ firm response will come as a relief to Hoops fans, who would have been worried that the club would lose their star man after his impressive season.
His 32 goals in 49 appearances helped the club pick up a domestic treble of the Premiership, the Scottish League Cup and the Scottish Cup, managing to go the entire season unbeaten.
If he remains at the club, he is likely to be the first choice up front, with just Lee Griffiths and the returning Nadir Ciftci for competition in the centre forward role.
However, he will be a doubt for Wednesday’s clash against Rosenborg, with Rodgers confirming that his reported absence from training was the result of a potential injury.
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