“NONSENSE,” CELTIC RUBBISH BRIGHTON DEAL FOR DEMBELE

CELTIC have rubbished reports from south of the border that they have accepted a bid from Brighton for Moussa Dembele.

The club told the BBC’s Chief Football reporter Chris McLaughlin that the reports are “nonsense”.

Sky Sports indicated that Celtic are ready to accept a £20million bid for striker Moussa Dembele from Brighton.

Sources insist the fee agreed between the two clubs for the France Under-21 international frontman has already been agreed.

Seagulls boss Chris Hughton admitted Dembele fits the profile of the type of player Brighton would be interested in.

The Brighton boss said: “He’s a very good player who has had a very good season. He is not our player and he just happens to be one of probably 100 names you could mention that I probably would want.

“But he’s not our player and neither is anybody else that might be thrown into the mix.”

Dembele scored 32 goals for the Hoops last season after joining from Fulham for a £500,000 development fee.

He missed the start of this season due to a hamstring injury and has scored eight goals in 19 appearances.

The 21-year-old came through the ranks at Paris Saint-Germain and joined Fulham in 2012. He made his first-team debut a year later, coming on as a substitute in a 3-0 Premier League defeat at West Ham.

Dembele scored 19 goals in 64 appearances for Fulham before joining Celtic on a four-year contract in June 2016.