News coming out of France suggests that Celtic shouldn’t count their chickens just yet when it comes to any potential windfall from the sale of former player, Moussa Dembele. The big striker has a clause in his current Lyon contract that would see Celtic retain around 10-15% of any possible transfer fee.
However, a report in the publication L’Equipe, has stated that despite the French club signing ex-Arsenal forward, Alexandra Lacazette, Moussa would like to stay and fight for his place in the starting XI with his compatriot – putting any chance of an unexpected bonus into the Hoops coffers way off.
It was generally expected in France that with the addition of a new – and expensive – centre-forward that Dembele would seek pastures new, having already been shipped out on-loan before by his parent club to Atletico Madrid. That particular move did not bear any fruit, even with a £28 million purchase option inserted when he moved to Diego Simeone’s side.
Unfortunately for Moussa and Celtic, the move did not work out and both parties agreed to nullify the pre-determined option-to-buy agreement for the forward’s services. He returned to his homeland and has since rediscovered his form in front of goal, notching 21 goals in 30 Ligue 1 matches.
It would now appear that Dembele wishes to stay and fight it out with the newest star in the French league. The other major worry is that the attacker is free to speak to any club who wishes to sign him soon, with only a year left to go on the initial deal that took him from Glasgow to the Groupama Stadium.
Malgré le retour d’Alexandre Lacazette, Moussa Dembélé s’imagine rester à l’OL
Le retour d’Alexandre Lacazette n’a rien changé dans l’esprit du capitaine de l’OL, Moussa Dembélé : il se sent bien à Lyon pour l’instant et ne compte pas s’en aller. https://t.co/TZR6X6MJxN pic.twitter.com/2xRtpwBZZz
— L’ÉQUIPE (@lequipe) June 19, 2022
Paul Gillespie
David Potter’s new book, Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style is featured in the new edition of the Celtic View which is out now and available from the Celtic Stores. You can also pick up the Willie Fernie book there too or order direct from Celtic Star Books, link below…
