Neil Lennon values former Celtic striker Moussa Dembele at £40 million

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Celtic boss Neil Lennon has been speaking to the Glasgow Evening Times this week about the club’s transfer activity this summer. Indeed, Celtic have been quiet in the market so far this summer, although David Turnbull looks likely to finally become a Celtic player.

It is that type of signing that Lennon has been discussing. The Celtic boss explained how the club need to target highly-talented young players who can eventually become big money stars.

He cited the examples of Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Victor Wanyama and Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk. He also mentioned a valuation for former Celtic striker Moussa Dembele.

“Kieran Tierney is a big plus from the academy side of things, on top of Callum McGregor and James Forrest. It’s important we keep that pathway open. They are a great role model for the rest of them, as well as Victor Wanyama, and Virgil Van Dijk.

“Moussa Dembele is now worth £40m. It is a good selling point for young and hungry players. But it’s finding them and competing. That’s the difficult part.”

Dembele joined Celtic from Fulham as a teenager in 2016. He went on to become a top player at the club, scoring 51 goals in 91 games in Glasgow.

As reported by BBC Sport, Celtic sold Dembele for £19.7 million last summer and he went on to become a star at new club Lyon.

Despite receiving a big fee for the player, Celtic fans were certainly not pleased to see such a talented frontman leave the club last summer.

Brendan Rodgers’ relationship with Dembele later came under scrutiny, as reported by the Daily Record. It certainly seems as though Dembele’s leaving was not just due to his belief in the project at Lyon.

Whatever the reasons, it is clear Lennon is an admirer. What is also clear, is that Dembele’s success at Celtic and beyond highlights how important a move to Parkhead can be for a young player’s career.

Hopefully, Celtic continue to use that selling point in their hunt for new talent this summer.