Are Celtic’s Griffiths talks more important after latest Dembele reports?

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Scottish Premiership giants Celtic are keen to keep Leigh Griffiths at Parkhead, according to manager Brendan Rodgers.

While Celtic could lose one striker this summer, they are doing everything in their power to keep another.

The Express reported this week that Brendan Rodgers is hopeful of keeping Moussa Dembele at Parkhead past the summer but Celtic are likely to sell if they receive an offer that matches their valuation of the 21-year-old.

La Liga side Villarreal, who need a striker to replace Cedric Bakambu this summer, are understood to be preparing an offer of £15 million.

So this makes Celtic tying down Leigh Griffiths even more important.

The Scotland international has had plenty of clubs interested in him of late, with the Daily Record claiming in January that both Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion had sent scouts to watch him in action.

But Griffiths has spoken openly about his admiration for Celtic and a desire to match skipper Scott Brown in earning a testimonial after ten years of loyal service.

And the Daily Record reports that the former Wolves and Hibernian striker is now in talks over a ‘lifetime contract’ at Celtic – despite the fact his current deal runs until 2021.

“I’d love to have him here and tie him down. Talks are ongoing with his representatives and he’s a player we want to keep,” Rodgers said.

Griffiths might not have the same world-class potential that has made Dembele a target for some of Europe’s biggest clubs, but he has been a reliable source of goals since he arrived in 2013 and has 13 to his name this season.

With doubts about Dembele’s future, and PSG loanee Odsonne Edouard being tipped to move to Portugal, securing Griffiths would be well timed.