Chris Sutton believes that Celtic will sell Moussa Dembele next month.
Last season’s top scorer is currently in a three way fight with Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths for a place in the Celtic side with the striker on loan from Paris Saint Germain staring three of the last four domestic matches. Griffiths started the other game.
When Celtic signed Dembele from Fulham 17 months ago there was always a realisation that his success would accelerate his departure.
The goals have been less free flowing this season, last term Real Madrid and Chelsea were linked with the Frenchman but in recent weeks attention has switched towards Brighton and Everton.
There is no certainty that Dembele will start against Aberdeen today with Sutton reading between the lines to see a parting of the ways.
“There are a lot of questions around Celtic at the moment – none more so than the Moussa Dembele issue,” he explained in the Daily Record. “ I can’t understand why he wouldn’t be starting – unless he’s off in January.
“You can’t tell me he’s behind Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths in the pecking order. There’s talk of £20million-plus bids but it’s hard to justify that price tag if you can’t get?in the Celtic side.
“My suspicion is he’s going to?go when the window opens and Edouard coming in from nowhere is a way to prepare.
“Brighton are definitely interested but there will be a few others and if the money is right there will only be one conclusion.”
MARVIN COMPPER
Looking at the signing of Marvin Compper Sutton said: “Compper might be 33 on his next birthday but his age doesn’t bother me. He’s an experienced defender with decent pedigree over the years.
“You can’t just sign up 19-year-olds with potential all the time – not if you want to have a chance of actually winning games when it matters.
“It was a no-brainer shoring up?the backline and a blind man could have seen it was needed. We all? know it should have been done?in the summer but at least it’s?been addressed.
“He won’t be eligible to play in Europe this year, which is a bit of a strange one, but obviously Rodgers has an eye on the qualifiers next year.”