Rodgers sees Manchester United target Dembele generating Sterling fee
The Celtic manager believes his in-demand striker will smash the club's record for a transfer fee received if he is to move on in the near future
Posted Saturday, November 19, 2016 by Goal.com
Brendan Rodgers believes Moussa Dembele will generate a transfer fee similar to that which took Raheem Sterling from Liverpool to Manchester City if he is to leave Celtic.
The France Under-21 international striker is a man in demand, with clubs across Europe having sat up and taken notice of his talent.
Dembele has starred since swapping life at Fulham for Parkhead over the summer, with his efforts in Scotland and the Champions League helping to raise his profile.
Rodgers: Balo right to slate me
Manchester United have been heavily linked with an imminent approach for the 20-year-old forward, while Real Madrid and Barcelona are among those said to be closely monitoring his development.
Rodgers accepts that players of such potential will inevitably move on at some stage, and he is expecting Celtic to be well rewarded when the day comes to cash in.
The club's record sale saw Virgil van Dijk head to Southampton for £13 million in 2015, but their current boss feels Dembele's value would be closer to the £49m he received for Sterling during his time in charge at Anfield.
"I have worked with players who have gone for a lot of money," Rodgers said in the Daily Record.
"Raheem Sterling went for £49 million and he was a winger. Luis Suarez went for the money that he went for.
"He was an international player and after two years he left a world-class player. So this kiddie has the potential in value.
"Celtic won't have to worry about players going for £10m any more.
"The kid still needs time. I think everyone wants to get him in and then sell him off."
Dembele has netted 16 times in 24 appearances this season, with four of those efforts coming in Champions League competition.
Photos
More»
De Bruyne's glamorous Wag stuns in low-cut dress
Tuesday April 23 2024
[PICTURE SPECIAL] Coventry 3-3 Man Utd (2-4 pens)
Monday April 22 2024
Your Say