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Report: Celtic summer signing Moussa Dembele snubs England for France

Celtic's Moussa Dembele celebrates scoring a goal (REUTERS)
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Celtic striker Moussa Dembele will reportedly choose to play for France rather than England.

Celtic's Moussa Dembele celebrates scoring their third goalCeltic’s Moussa Dembele celebrates scoring

According to The Scottish Sun, Celtic striker Moussa Dembele has decided to snub interest from England, and will commit his future to playing for the French national team.

Dembele, 20, smashed 17 goals for Fulham in all competitions last season, and he chose to move on at the end of his contract at Craven Cottage over the summer, as he decided to join Celtic.

Celtic's Moussa Dembele celebrates scoring a goalCeltic’s Moussa Dembele celebrates scoring

The athletic striker initially made a slow start to life in Glasgow, but has since become a fan favourite, with a hat-trick against Rangers on his Old Firm debut and a Champions League brace against Manchester City particular highlights.

It’s now 12 goals in 17 games for Dembele at Celtic, and his performances of late have been superb, meaning Leigh Griffiths – last season’s top goalscorer with 40 goals – has been left out of the side.

Celtic's Moussa DembeleCeltic’s Moussa Dembele

Whilst Dembele’s future looks settled at Celtic, despite Get French Football News reporting that Barcelona and Real Madrid are tracking him, there have been recent suggestions that he could switch his international allegiance.

The Daily Record noted that, with Paris-born Dembele eligible to switch to play for England in 2017, The FA had looked into the possibility of snatching Dembele away from France.

Celtic's Moussa Dembele celebrates scoring their fourth goal and completing his hat-trickCeltic’s Moussa Dembele celebrates scoring their fourth goal against Rangers

However, The Scottish Sun now report that Dembele – who has scored ten goals in 31 games for France at various youth levels – intends to stay loyal to France, with Didier Deschamps considering him for a senior call-up.

Dembele’s decision won’t affect Celtic too much, but senior recognition on the international stage may just ramp up the alleged interest in his signature, despite him only joining the Bhoys a matter of months ago.

Would you rather see Dembele play for England or France?