Celtic at centre of goal machine scouting mission – report
By Matt Farr
Manchester United have entered the race to sign in-form Celtic goalscorer Moussa Dembele in the summer, according to a report.
The Daily Star claim that Jose Mourinho has identified the 20-year-old goal machine as a long-term replacement for Wayne Rooney, who has been linked with a move away from the club.
Dembele has been in unstoppable form for Celtic since his move to Scotland at the start of the season, scoring 29 goals from 42 appearances.
However, United will face heated competition for his signature, with Premier League rivals Chelsea, as well as European giants Real Madrid and Bayern Munich also reportedly keen.
The Daily Star also report that Mourinho sent chief scout Jim Lawlor to Fir Park last weekend to watch Dembele in action against Motherwell.
The France Under-21 international netted a goal and an assist in a 2-0 victory for Celtic.
Dembele’s agent, Mamadi Fofana, recently claimed that the superstar was set to stay at Celtic for the remainder of his contract, which runs until 2020.
However, with Brendan Rodgers slapping a £40million asking-price on the table, a move away from the club in the summer remains a strong possibility.
Manchester United are also believed to be interested in signing highly-rated Hoops left-back Kieran Tierney.
Football Insider verdict
Dembele appears almost certain to leave Celtic in the summer. The move to Parkhead has done wonders for his future prospects, and his scintillating goalscoring form has made him one of Europe’s brightest stars. Celtic reportedly managed to fend-off interest from Chelsea in last month’s transfer window, but they will face an even greater battle at the end of the season with several more of Europe’s elite clubs fronting the queue for his signature. It will be very difficult for them to retain his services and they should allow him to try his hand elsewhere if they get the right offer. Manchester United, meanwhile, will be a decent option; because Mourinho likes to give youth a chance in the first-team. At the moment he has the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic to work with, but Dembele would be a fantastic alternative – and an ideal long-term asset.
In other Celtic transfer news, the club are set to agree a bumper deal for this player within days.
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