CELTIC are standing by for transfer windfall with Manchester United reportedly poised to splash £60million on Moussa Dembele.
Lyon paid the Hoops £19.8million for the international striker in August 2018 and he is under contract for another three years. As part of the deal, chief executive Peter Lawwell inserted a sell-on clause of at least 10 per cent.
If Dembele moves for the anticipated fee. the Parkhead men could receive a sum of around £4million for the former fans’ favourite.
The French outfit are now facing up to the harsh realities of no participation in European football in the new season after the league bosses called a premature halt to the top-flight campaign and awarded the title to leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
Lyon were seventh in La Ligue when the decision was made and the lack of Champions League or Europa League revenue will impact massively on the club’s finances.
Club president Jean-Michel Aulas has admitted they may be forced to sell some of their top stars and Dembele will be among the first to head for he exit.
The Old Trafford outfit have targeted the ex-Hoops star, who joined in the summer of 2016 from Fulham on a bargain £500,000 cross-border deal, and they have identified him as a long-term replacement for Romelu Lukaku.
Dembele has also been linked with Chelsea and Spurs, but it appears the Old Trafford side are at the front of the queue to land the 23-year-old powerhouse.
ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT…
CQN would like to thank our readers for their patience in the interruption to the launch of Alex Gordon’s latest Celtic book, ‘Fifty Flags’, which was due to be published in March.
Unfortunately, production of the tome, which thoroughly examines the glorious half-century of seasons in which the Parkhead men were crowned Scotland champions, came to an unfortunate halt due to the coronavirus pandemic lockdown.
The support for ‘Fifty Flags’ has been overwhelming and author Alex said: “The response to the book has been utterly astonishing and I can only say how totally grateful I am to CQN readers for their backing. I can only hope it will be worth the wait.
“We are depending on the printers letting us know when the run will commence and we are in their hands at the moment. It will be published this year and CQN will keep the readers up to date. Thanks for your patience, folks. It’s much appreciated.
“Main thing, though, in these testing times is to take care and stay safe. See you all when we get the green light.”
