Former Celtic star Moussa Dembele could return to the Premier League after a decade away from England's top-flight, with Everton ready to 'offer' him a contract - though the Frenchman will wait for their survival before committing.
Dembele started his professional career at Fulham as a 16-year-old, and made two Premier League appearances at Craven Cottage before the London outfit were relegated in 2014. He stuck with the club, registering 15 goals in the Championship in 2015-16 before jetting off to Glasgow's green half.
It was at Celtic where he made his name. Fifty-one goals in ninety-four games, including a healthy 8 goals in just twenty-one Champions League appearances at Parkhead and a hat-trick against Rangers amongst others, saw him etch his name into Hoops folklore before moving to French side Lyon. Many have said since his debut season that despite never playing in the Premier League - bar his 2 games for Fulham as a teenager - he undoubtedly has the quality to do so.
And that could become reality, according to Jeunes Footeux, with the French publication stating that Dembele has been offered his big move to the English top-flight after a decade of absence - though he will only sign the contract should they survive, given they are just 1 point above the relegation zone.
The article states that Dembele will not be extending his contract with Lyon past June, meaning he will be a free agent. Manager Laurent Blanc does not see him as a first-team player with Alexandre Lacazette ahead of him in the pecking order, and thus English teams such as Southampton, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Everton have all been linked.
Everton were linked with a deadline day move for his services, though a calamitous board at Goodison Park failed to back new boss Sean Dyche with any new arrivals and Dembele remained put at the Groupama Stadium. But he will get the chance to join the Toffees again in the summer, with a 4-year contract awaiting him.
However, with the Toffees having just nine games left in their season, relegation remains a real possibility on the blue half of the Mersey, and until they can confirm their survival in the division, Dembele will turn the offer down.
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