Sources: Peterborough leave out Dembele v Birmingham tonight after Bournemouth bids
Siriki Dembele has been left out of the Peterborough United squad for Tuesday’s clash against Birmingham City after two Bournemouth bids, Football Insider understands.
The 25-year-old’s future is up in the air going into the final days of the January window after he rejected multiple new deal offers from the Posh.
A Peterborough source has told Football Insider that Dembele has now been omitted from the matchday squad for the Championship fixture at St Andrew’s.
The decision is believed to be related to strong transfer interest in him, including the two bids from second-tier rivals Bournemouth revealed by this site last Sunday (23 January).
Other EFL clubs are also pursuing Dembele going into next Monday’s transfer cut-off.
He is out of contract at London Road at the end of the season when the race for his signature may step up even further.
Despite Peterborough’s struggles this term, Dembele has still managed to find the net five times and provide two assists in 24 Championship games.
Darren Ferguson’s side could move level on points with 21st-place Reading if they beat Birmingham City tonight.
Bournemouth are fighting at the other end of the table to return to the Premier League.
Scott Parker has already added James Hill from Fleetwood Town and Man United’s Ethan Laird on loan to bolster their promotion bid.
They dropped down to third last night after Blackburn Rovers’ win over Middlesbrough (24 January).
They will re-enter the automatic places if they win their game in hand over Rovers.
In other news, Newcastle United have agreed to hire an Englishman from Bournemouth.