Celtic are poised for a £3million bonus after Manchester United entered the hunt for former Hoops star Moussa Dembele.
The frontman has been told he can leave Lyon after talks stalled over a new deal with the French side. Dembele – who rattled 22 goals last term – is in the final year of his current deal but is assessing his options going in to the final days of the transfer window. The 26-year-old knocked back an approach from Everton earlier in the summer, and former club Fulham are also in the frame. But the hitman has been on Manchester United ’s long-term scouting list since his days at Parkhead. Celtic flogged the former France under 21 star to Lyon in August 2018 for almost £20m – and they have a 15 percent sell-on clause.
Lyon have warned contract rebels they will cash in rather than wait until they can depart for free. And Dembele’s representatives have put several sides on red alert . United are set to shoot to the top of the queue with under pressure Old Trafford boss Erik Ten Hag desperate for attacking reinforcements on the back of a nightmare summer regarding recruitment.
The Red Devils have struggled in the market and kicked off their season in disastrous fashion with defeats to Brighton and Brentford. Ten Hag will be allowed to strengthen in the next two weeks and a move for Dembele wouldn’t take eye watering dosh. Lyon will want to maximise their investment and are convinced they can bank more than the £20m outlaid four years ago – which would net Celts a cool £3m.
The striker has been warned he won’t be allowed to see out his contract and has started this season on the bench. Lyon sporting director Bruno Cheyrou said: “In this case, it’s either they extend or they leave. As a club, we are entitled to ask that they commit to the medium term with us because we are at the start of a project over several years.
“We don’t want to do a one-shot as we want to stay as high as possible for as long as possible. We must be able to have players fully involved in the project, but with a one-year contract, it is more difficult to imagine that the guys are involved.”
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