Should Everton or West Ham pay ‘astronomical’ fee for Celtic’s Dembele?

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Should Brighton, Everton or West Ham be willing to meet Celtic’s demands over Moussa Dembele?

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers arrives prior to the Scottish Premier League match against Dundee.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has said it will take an “astronomical” fee to see Moussa Dembele leave during the January transfer window.

The Mirror reports that Brighton and Hove Albion, Everton and West Ham United are the three clubs showing serious interest in the striker, but Rodgers is ready to put up a fight.

Sam Allardyce, manager of Everton, looks on prior to the Premier League match against Chelsea.

“I can’t say [he will stay in January]. I live in the real world of football and you can say things that make you look silly,” the 44-year-old said.

“Someone might come in with a bid that is an astronomical amount of money for the club and the player and, if the player wants to go, that’s modern football.

“I can never stand here and say someone is definitely going to be here because you could get a ridiculous bid for a player and a situation arises when they’re offered much more wages and they want to go.”

How much would signify “astronomical” is of course unclear, but should Brighton, the Toffees and West Ham be prepared to spend serious money on a player considered by many to be one of the most exciting youngsters in European football?

Moussa Dembele of Celtic tries to reach a cross during the UEFA Champions League group B match against RSC Anderlecht.

Since arriving at Parkhead from Fulham in the summer of 2016, Dembele has scored 40 goals in 69 games in all competitions, helping the Bhoys to the domestic treble last season.

All three English clubs are in need of support upfront and the signing the 21-year-old could be quite the coup considering Arsenal, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid have shown interest in the past.

If the finances are available, then maybe one of the trio at least should try and test Rodgers’ and the Glasgow club’s resolve.