Udinese and Ivory Coast midfielder Seko Fofana has claimed that Celtic made a mistake selling Moussa Dembele for £20million this summer and insisted they should have been looking for closer to £40million instead.
The French hitman left Parkhead after two years to return to his home country with Olympique Lyonnais in what was a last minute transfer swoop, leaving Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths as the first team striker pair under Brendan Rodgers.
However Fofana, a former teammate of Dembele, claimed the Hoops let him go for nearly half of what he is worth.
The Ivory Coast international told L’Equipe, as transcribed by the Scottish Sun: “I am surprised that clubs didn’t come to take him before.
“He is a complete attacker, who can use his head, left foot, right foot and also defend. His delivery, he’s clean technically, he is a big, strong guy.
“I was told that he cost Lyon was £20m, but Moussa is worth at least double.”
Opinion
There was no way that Celtic could have demanded anywhere near £40million for Dembele’s exit this summer, no matter how much they, or anyone else, thought he was worth. Even a proven Premier League striker would struggle to demand that sort of price tag and so someone who has been playing in Scotland and infrequently in the Champions League is never going to be sold for that sort of money. The Bhoys did well to get £20million out of his sale and that money could have a big impact on how the club progress over the next couple of years. However, they must avoid doing a Tottenham – when the Lilywhites sold Gareth Bale and spent more than they should have on average talents – and invest their cash sensibly when the transfer window reopens. Brendan Rodgers will have a good idea on what he needs to strengthen the team at Celtic Park, and plans will be underway.