KARAMOKO DEMBELE’S Celtic future is in the balance with his contract officially expiring at the end of last month.
Intriguingly, there has been no announcement from the club or the player to determine the situation.
In the midst of the silence, Dembele, once tipped as a future Hoops wonder Bhoy, has been linked with Italian side Lecce.
The newly-promoted Serie A club are ready to offer the 19-year-old winger a one million euros contract – worth just over £854,000 – to join their push to make an impact in the top flight in the new season.
ON THE BALL…Karamoko Dembele shows off his tricks during a substitute appearance in the 3-0 Scottish Cup win over Dundee United at Tannadice in March.
Lecce director Pantaleo Corvino has already had talks with the youngster’s representatives, according to a report in the respected journal La Gazetta dello Sport.
They insist a seven-figure euros fee has been offered to Dembele and it will soon be make-your-mind-up time for the England youth international – and manager Ange Postecoglou.
Unfortunately, Dembele’s career got off to a false start after the arrival of the Greek-Australian gaffer a year ago.
He was injured in a pre-season challenge game at Bristol City and was forced to sit out the first half of the campaign.
Dembele made only two first-team appearances as a second-half substitute during the title-winning term, but there are those at the club who believe the teenager still has something to contribute to the Hoops.
The clock is ticking on the situation.
