Report – Celtic on red alert as €100m striker deal could have consequences for title challenge

Celtic could be set to make a tidy sum from this January’s transfer window without having to sell any of their star players in a bitter sweet transfer rumour.

The Daily Record claims that Chelsea have “reportedly” agreed personal terms with Moussa Dembele and with the Hoops having a sell-on clause believed to be around the 10% mark, they could be in line to receive upwards of £10m if Lyon are offered over their €100m valuation for the French striker.

This isn’t the only good news for the Parkhead club though as Juventus, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United have all been credited with an interest in recent weeks and it looks as though Dembele could be on his way out just 18-months after signing for £19.7m from the Scottish champions.

There is a downside to this transfer story though as there is an obvious replacement for Dembele, Odsonne Edouard was previously linked with the French club in the summer when speculation was rife of a raid on the Lyon striker.

Lyon will have been impressed with how easily Edouard filled Dembele’s boots both at home and in continental football added to his extraordinary record for France under-21s. They also know that, although he would cost more than Dembele, at the rumoured £30m valuation, they would still have plenty of spare change from the two deals.

Celtic would have to seriously consider the impact of selling their star man in the middle of the closest title fight in a decade, even if they were compensated to the tune of £40m or more, there is no guarantee that targets such as Andraz Sporar would be able to instantly adjust to Scottish football and lead the line as effectively as Edouard.

It is a decision that could make or break the Celts season and one that the Parkhead faithful will be keeping a close eye on as Neil Lennon’s men look to continue their unprecedented dominance of Scottish football.