Stoke have entered the hunt to sign in-demand Celtic mainstay Moussa Dembele, according to the Sun.
The newspaper claims that the Premier League side sent their chief scout Lee Maybury to run the rule over the 21-year-old in the recent Old Firm clash against Rangers.
It is understood that Stoke are in the market for a new centre-forward and the Bhoys ace has emerged as the latest number nine on their January wishlist.
The report details that Brighton are also keen on Frenchman Dembele and are readied to submit a £20million offer this week for him to bring him to the Premier League.
Meanwhile, West Ham and Everton have also monitored the striker and there is uncertainty over his future at Parkhead.
Good move for Celtic?
Brendan Rodgers’ side must become resigned to the fact that Dembele is set to leave the club and should be pushing to get a huge financial return.
The reported £20million fee will be a tidy profit for the Scottish champions and with huge interest they should even try to push that sum upwards.
Dembele is clearly not an ideal player to lose and preferably he would continue his development over the next couple of year, but if his mind is set on a Premier League switch then cashing in now is the right move.
This Is Futbol rating: 7/10
Likely to happen?
Dembele’s future certainly appear to lie away from Celtic and his reputation has seen another English team join the race for his signature.
It would be somewhat of a surprise if the Bhoys manage to keep the forward throughout the entire January window, especially with big-money bids readied for him.
This Is Futbol rating: 6/10