It has been a hectic start to the new year for Chelsea. After a torrid run of form in December, the Blues’ owners decided to sack manager Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day.

It was certainly a snap decision, and despite rumours, it seemed that there was a chance he might stay at the club.

But, it wasn’t to be the case, with the Italian removed from his post after winning two trophies in 2025, including the Club World Cup.

With under-21s manager Calum McFarlane set to take charge of the West Londoners against Manchester City this weekend, the search is now on for a new manager.

Well, rumours are already beginning to intensify about who that may be.

Chelsea’s candidates to replace Maresca

It seems that there is one name consistently coming up when it comes to Maresca’s replacement in the hotseat at Stamford Bridge. That man is Liam Rosenior, who is in charge of Chelsea’s sister club RC Strasbourg.

However, if a move for Rosenior doesn’t materialise, the club’s owners, BlueCo, could well cast the net further afield in their search for a new boss. According to BBC Sport, one of the names in contention is Porto manager Francesco Farioli.

The Italian, who is just 36 years of age, has ‘been mooted as a potential contender’ according to BBC reporters Sami Mokbel and Nizaar Kinsella.

He still has 18 months left on his contract, so it seems likely that Chelsea would have to pay compensation to bring him to West London.

Why Farioli would be an upgrade on Rosenior

Although Farioli has only been at Porto since July 2025, he has already made a fantastic start to life in Portugal. It comes after building up a good reputation in Ligue 1 with OGC Nice, whom he managed for a season in 2023/24, prior to joining Ajax for 2024/25.

Indeed, the start Farioli has made in charge of the Portuguese giants has been impressive. In 26 matches so far across all competitions, the Italian, most often deploying a 4-3-3 formation, has led his side to 22 wins.

His side have dominated games, scoring 56 times and conceding just 13.

Farioli record at Porto (all comps)

Stat

Number

Preferred formation

4-3-3

Matches

26

Wins

22

Draws

2

Losses

2

Goals for

56

Goals against

13

Points per game (league only)

2.88

Stats from Transfermarkt

You can certainly draw comparisons between Farioli during his spell at Ajax and Maresca at Chelsea. Eif Soccer’s Marc Geschwind said the situations at each club were “so similar,” with both having to work with “incompetent management” in their old roles.

Indeed, things were tough at times for Maresca during his stint at the Bridge. There was a reported “lack of protection and interference leading to critical issues with ownership,” which Farioli might have to contend with.

His time at Ajax – which ended with a narrow title miss in the Eredivisie – might stand him in good stead, in that sense.

Rosenior, meanwhile, has done well at Strasburg during the 18 months he’s managed the club.

Last term, he guided Le Racing to seventh in Ligue 1, steering them to the Conference League and playing some excellent football along the way.

His record overall for the club is certainly impressive. In 62 games at the club so far, he’s won 32 and lost just 16 times.

Subscribe for insider Chelsea manager analysis and more Get deeper context on Chelsea’s managerial search by subscribing to the newsletter — tactical breakdowns of contenders like Farioli and Rosenior, data-driven comparisons, and practical implications for the club’s playing style and ambitions.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

The London-born manager has certainly done well in Ligue 1, and it would be a simple deal for the Blues to do, with Strasbourg being a BlueCo club.

However, it is perhaps less risky to appoint Farioli. Not only has he managed in Ligue 1, thus leaving him with similar experience to Rosenior, but the Italian’s work with Porto has shown he can dominate a league at the highest level.

That is, of course, the ultimate goal for Chelsea. They want to be a possession-heavy, free-flowing side who are able to keep things tight at the back. In a short few months in Portugal, Farioli has shown he can do that.

Rosenior might be the safe option. Yet, perhaps the Porto boss, who is more used to working under a stricter regime, has football that is more scalable to a top side, which Chelsea are hoping to be.

Related Dream Rosenior alternative: Chelsea considering the "best coach in the PL"

This manager could be Chelsea’s perfect Maresca replacement

Posts ByJoe Nuttall

‘We have come back in the match after the breakthrough’ © AFP

Danish Kaneria, the Pakistan legspinner, feels his wicket of Mahendra Singh Dhoni shortly before stumps on day two was a turning point for Pakistan in the Feroz Shah Kotla Test. Kaneria said that moment allowed Pakistan the chance to come back in the game, and given the aim was to set India at least a 300-run target, he could have a winning role in the series opener.”Sachin Tendulkar’s run out and disturbing the Dhoni-[VVS] Laxman partnership were important” said Kaneria after an absorbing day’s play. “Dhoni’s wicket was a good breakthrough, especially when they have a long tail. Dhoni is in good form and is an aggressive player who keeps the scoreboard ticking. So claiming his wicket has helped the team a lot.”India were in serious trouble at 93 for 5 but a115-run sixth-wicket stand between Laxman and Dhoni took them extremely close to Pakistan’s total of 231. Kaneria still felt the match was could swing either team’s way.”This is a five-day match and every day is different with one team up one day and another the next day. Today it is balanced,” he said. “We have come back in the match after the breakthrough. Tomorrow morning we will do well.”Batting on day four, said Kaneria, would not be easy. “We did not have the first innings advantage but we’ll give them a target as the fourth day will be difficult to bat with the wicket deteriorating and becoming very slow and low. If we give them a target of 300 we can win the match.”There has not been much sunlight on these two days so wicket has not broken yet. It could be difficult to play spin tomorrow. We will like to come and bowl them out in the morning tomorrow. I can have a vital role in winning the match for Pakistan.”Meanwhile, injured fast bowler Umar Gul, ruled out of this Test with a back sprain, remains in doubt for the second Test. According to Salahuddin Ahmed, chief selector, Pakistan may call up Rao Iftikhar Anjum as his replacement. “I don’t think Gul will be fit for the second Test. We may bring Iftikhar Anjum back to India,” Salahuddin told PTI. “Iftikhar did very well in the ODIs against South Africa.”An unnamed source in the Pakistan team disclosed that a decision on Gul would be taken in the next few days. “We have sent the [MRI] reports to Pakistan and after consulting with the orthopedics and other medical experts a decision will be taken on whether to retain him or send him back,” the source said.

An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their interest in Paris Saint-Germain forward Pablo Sarabia… 

What’s the talk?

According to reports in Spain, the Magpies are one of three teams keen on a deal for the Spanish playmaker at the end of the campaign.

He is currently on loan to Portuguese giants Sporting but Villarreal, Sevilla and Newcastle are now hoping to snap him up in the summer on a permanent deal.

Masterclass

Eddie Howe could seal a masterclass by securing a move for Sarabia ahead of the 2022/23 campaign as he could be an incredible addition to the squad.

The 29-year-old has been in fine form this season, whilst he has also proven his quality throughout his career at the top level. He has produced 13 goals and nine assists for PSG and Sporting combined this term, which means that he has 22 direct goal contributions in 34 appearances.

This shows that he is capable of making a big impact in the final third as he has the ability to both score and create goals for his side.

Sarabia has a wealth of experience in Europe too, having played over 200 games in La Liga with Getafe and Sevilla before moving to France in 2019. He managed 13 strikes and 13 assists in his final season in the Spanish top-flight and has 22 goals and 12 assists in 79 matches for the Ligue 1 giants to date.

Former PSG coach Thomas Tuchel previously lauded the Spaniard’s ability, saying: “Pablo is really impressive. He runs well, with and without a ball. His game without the ball is a great example. He plays with a lot of intensity and does not stop [working] defensively.”

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

These comments suggest that he also has the work rate required to be a fan favourite at St. James’ Park. His statistics throughout his career show that he has the potential to come in and be an eye-catching player for Newcastle in the final third, but his play off the ball is also important and means that he will not be a lightweight who needs to be carried through games.

Instead of signing a luxury player who could negatively impact the side’s defending, Howe could pull off a masterclass by finding a gem who can impress at both ends of the pitch. This is why the Toon must ensure that they win the race for the Spanish international’s signature at the end of the season.

AND in other news, Howe can finally axe £37k-p/w “weapon” as Newcastle eye swoop for 66-goal “phenomenon”…

There are likely to be a number of clubs who eye up a move for Wolves centre-back Max Kilman this summer, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Kilman a key figure at Wolves

The 24-year-old is enjoying an exceptional season for Wanderers, standing out as one of the first names on Bruno Lage’s team sheet at Molineux.

Kilman has shone on the right-hand side of a back-three, making 27 Premier League appearances , playing 90 minutes in all but one game and finding himself tipped to be named in Gareth Southgate’s next England squad.

The defender’s form could alert some of the country’s leading sides, however, so perhaps after all the attention on Ruben Neves’ future – reports believe talks are underway with Barcelona and the midfielder is ‘likely’ to depart – the Portuguese superstar may not be the only high-profile exit from Molineux this summer.

The Latest: Journalist talks up exit

Speaking to Give Me Sport, O’Rourke claimed that Kilman won’t be without suitors, as Wolves desperately look to stave off any interest in their emerging star:

“Everything’s going well for Max Kilman at the minute, but Wolves will be desperate to keep hold of him.

“But I’m sure there will be a few clubs looking in the summer, ready to test their resolve.”

[freshpress-quiz id=“388797″]

The Verdict: Got to stay

While Kilman is sure to be in the headlines this summer, as the rumour mills back him to move away, it would be a surprise if he left at this point in his career.

His current deal doesn’t expire until the summer of 2026 and he is still very much maturing as a player, with 24 no age for a top centre-back in the slightest.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Granted, it may be that Kilman feels he needs to take a step up in his career in the future, but for now, Wolves is the best place for him to continue developing and playing week in, week out, having averaged two aerial duel wins and 3.4 clearances per game in the league this season.

In other news, the exit of another Wolves player has also been talked up. Find out who it is here.

Celtic defender Osaze Urhoghide has admitted he is open to a permanent Parkhead exit.

The Lowdown: KV Oostende loan

The 21-year-old was actually Ange Postecoglou’s first signing in charge at Parkhead, who described the defender as ‘ambitious’ and hailed Urhoghide as having all the ‘attributes on and off the field’ to become a ‘top player’. [Sky Sports]

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/celtic-updates-22/” title=”Celtic updates!!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

However, he made just one senior appearance in green and white before joining KV Oostende on loan in January. The Belgian side also negotiated an option to buy in the deal for Urhoghide, as they did with former Celtic man Jack Hendry.

The Latest: Urhoghide’s comments

Talking in an interview shared on Oostende’s website on Wednesday, Urhoghide was asked about the purchase option and if he sees his future in Belgium.

This is what he had to say in reply, revealing he would be ‘very happy’ if he was still an Oostende player next season.

“I will be very happy if I still play at Ostend next season. I’m having a great time here, but I also felt great in Celtic! I now have to try to prove myself, so that KV Oostende will certainly consider the purchase option. And then we’ll see what happens.”

The Verdict: A mistake?

It did come as a surprise knowing that the Hoops gave the green light to an option to buy clause, especially after Hendry’s stint with Oostende and the fact Urhoghide is only six months into a four-year deal.

The Scot impressed on loan from Celtic which resulted in Oostende exercising their option to buy clause for just £990,000 before selling Hendry in the same window for £4.05m. [Transfermarkt]

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

A permanent deal is already in place for Urhoghide, so Celtic chiefs will be hoping lightning doesn’t strike twice when it comes to a loanee starring in Belgium and missing out on a major profit.

In other news: BBC journalist reveals Celtic defender now out for ‘lengthy period’ as hamstring issues continue.

Celtic goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas is likely to leave the club in the summer, according to journalist Giannis Chorianopoulos.

The Lowdown: Ajeti news

Barkas isn’t the first player to be linked with a summer exit this month, with the Hoops telling forward Albian Ajeti he is free to find a new club at the end of the season.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/celtic-updates-copy-2/” title=”Celtic updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The striker isn’t thought to be in Ange Postecoglou’s plans, playing just under 300 minutes of Premiership action all season, and Barkas has also been frozen out at Parkhead.

The goalkeeper has made just two appearances in all competitions, and he too looks like he could finally seal a move away over the coming months.

The Latest: Barkas to follow?

Greek journalist Chorianopoulos took to Twitter on Tuesday evening to provide the latest on Barkas’ situation, claiming that the player’s representatives are already on the lookout for options.

“Seems that Barkas will leave Celtic in summer. His side are checking options from now.”

The Verdict: Needed

Exits for Ajeti and Barkas in the summer appear to be needed, as they are clearly not fancied by Postecoglou and are earning £18,000-a-week and £9,000-a-week respectively.

Barkas, labelled as ‘horrendous’ by pundit Tam McManus, hasn’t lived up to expectations following his £4.5m move, with McManus also labelling the shot-stopper as a ‘waste of money’.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

A permanent exit would be best for all involved, however, the Hoops may have to accept a loss on the goalkeeper, especially with his Transfermarkt valuation dropping from £4.5m to £1.35m in recent years.

In other news: ‘Oh my god…’ – Celtic pundit fuming at ‘unbelievable’ news he’s hearing from Parkhead. 

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Tottenham Hotspur legend Graham Roberts has shared his utter disbelief over a major report this week on Antonio Conte’s future.

The Lowdown: Conte clause emerges…

Breaking some significant news, Italian outlet Calciomercato lifted the lid on Conte’s stance over a move to Paris Saint-Germain, whilst also revealing a worrying clause in his Spurs deal.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-latest-news-copy/” title=”Tottenham latest developments!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The 52-year-old can apparently activate an option to leave at the end of this season, even though his deal expires in 2023, with Conte also refusing to rule out a switch to the French capital from N17.

It is believed that PSG contacts have started for the Italian, with Conte ‘not totally opposed’ to the idea of signing a contract at the Parc des Princes.

The Latest: Roberts in disbelief…

Reacting to this news, in an interview with GiveMeSport, Spurs legend Roberts simply can’t believe the alleged existence of such a clause which would allow Conte to quit early. He stated:

“I think they have to buy players, they have to spend money.

“But I can’t believe that we have signed a manager, given him an 18-month contract but we’ve actually signed him for six months and he walks away.

“I don’t know where the club will be after that.”

The Verdict: Who do Spurs turn to?

If the report is indeed true and a clause of that nature does exist, it is believed that former Spurs manager and fan favourite Mauricio Pochettino is the top contender to take over from Conte.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

The Telegraph claimed that chairman Daniel Levy personally has the Argentine on standby in case Tottenham’s fiery head coach does push the ejector button.

Taking this into account, some Lilywhites supporters could take comfort in that reliable update, but the thought of losing Conte may still be a worrying one for many.

In other news: Conte eyeing star with £336m release clause, Spurs could offer out ‘one of the best’…find out more here.

Kalvin Phillips will not join a club like West Ham United and will instead wait for a move to a top-four outfit who can offer him quadruple his current salary, BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Danny Mills has said.

The Lowdown: Phillips links with West Ham

On 21 March, Football Insider revealed that the Hammers are lining up a new bid for the 26-year-old, with the east London club are prepared to offer him an “enormous” salary to secure his signature.

However, The Times reported that Leeds will attempt to fend off the likes of the Irons and Aston Villa by offering the midfielder a new deal, with his current contract set to expire in the summer of 2024.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-developments-4/” title=”West Ham latest developments!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Latest: Mills’ claim on Phillips

Mills, who regularly features as a pundit on BBC Radio 5 Live, claimed that a move to West Ham or Aston Villa would be a sideways step for Phillips. Speaking with Football Insider, the former Leeds defender proclaimed:

“I’m not convinced that level would be enough for him to make a move.

“If Leeds offer him a decent new deal that is comparable to Villa or West Ham, is that enough to move? Perhaps not.

“If it’s a top-four, top-five side I think it’s different and Leeds fans won’t like that.

“He’s 26, coming up to 27, he’s only got one big contract left. At the end of this contract, he’ll be 29, nobody is going to spend fortunes on him at 29. That’s not going to happen.

“If he wants to stay at Leeds and the offers are comparable because they are a big club going places and could easily be in Villa and West Ham’s situation next season.

“But if you’re talking about Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool and even Man United or maybe Tottenham or Arsenal it becomes different.

“He’ll get four times as much money going there. People will say it’s not about money, well, it is.

“Say he’s playing as well as Declan Rice, for example, and he is getting paid four or five times more than you why would you not want that? Why would you not want parity?

“If one club will give you it and one club won’t, it’s easy to say he’ll stay because he’s Leeds through and through. He won’t unfortunately. That’s the harsh reality of football.”

The Verdict: Tough signing to secure

Whilst this would be a tough signing for West Ham to pull off, Phillips would be an amazing addition to David Moyes’ current squad.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

The Yorkshireman could slot into midfield next to Declan Rice, whom he partnered for the England national side during Euro 2020. It was during that tournament that the midfield duo were praised by Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez, who was left impressed with their performances throughout the finals.

Therefore, if the Irons can secure the lucrative signing of Phillips and recreate the Three Lions midfield partnership at club level, it would be a massive coup and would deliver quite the riposte to the doubtful Mills.

In other news: West Ham are interested in this Championship wizard

Nottingham Forest are firmly in the race to finish the season in a playoff spot, with the Reds particularly enjoying the goals of forwards Keinan Davis and Brennan Johnson this term as well as Lewis Grabban who has been sidelined for the past two months.

Davis (four), Johnson (14) and Grabban (13) are amongst the attackers who have netted the most this season for Steve Cooper’s side. However, fortune with forwards hasn’t always been the case at the City Ground, with Nicklas Bendtner an excellent example.

The former Arsenal, Juventus, and Wolfsburg striker came to the City Ground on a free transfer in September 2016, with the 81-cap Dane’s market value standing at £900k at the time.

Bendtner’s arrival would’ve certainly excited and intrigued the Forest faithful given the forward’s pedigree, however, the move was a major failure.

In 17 appearances, the now-retired former Denmark international scored just twice as well as registering two assists, meaning that each goal was worth £450k according to his market value. The forward would then go on to join Norwegian side Rosenburg in March 2017 before the end of the season.

Bendtner’s peak value stood at £9m in August 2010 whilst at Arsenal but, within under seven years, had decreased by 90%. With that in mind, it’s hardly a surprise to see him dubbed a “flop” by journalist John Cross.

Soon after the move to Rosenburg, Bendtner’s market value did increase slightly, rising to £1.08m in December 2017 but within two years, having moved to FC Copenhagen in 2019, the 34-year-old’s worth fell by 67% to £360k before announcing retirement. Having been nutmegged by a 48-year-old coach in training, perhaps it was for the best that he hung up his boots.

It’s no secret that the former footballer struggled dealing with the lifestyle and fame, stating in an interview with The Guardian in October 2020: “There’s definitely some regret I didn’t take my career in a more positive way.

“Looking back definitely made me upset because there are moments which were very hurtful and difficult to talk about. But I couldn’t just write another sports biography where I was praising myself. Luckily I trusted Rune completely and could open up and say: ‘There’s only one way I can do it and that’s with complete honesty.”

Whilst Bendtner was at the City Ground, Forest were battling relegation and could’ve really done with more goals from the Dane, with the Nottinghamshire outfit finishing 21st to narrowly beat the drop to League One.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Since the striker’s departure, the Reds’ fortunes have certainly improved, finishing 17th twice, ninth and seventh with the side, now managed by Steve Cooper, well in the mix for a playoff spot.

It was certainly a disappointment that a player who had been on the books at numerous top clubs couldn’t help Forest, however, given his lack of goals away from Arsenal, it was undoubtedly a risk that, eventually, didn’t pay off.

In other news: Imagine him & Grabban: Forest must swoop for £10m ace who’s “absolutely unplayable”

Paul John Dykes has dropped a worrying claim on the future of Celtic winger Karamoko Dembele.

What’s been said?

In comments made on a recent episode of the A Celtic State of Mind podcast, Dykes stated his belief that – with the 19-year-old’s current contract at Parkhead set to expire at the end of the season, and, as yet, the winger being yet to agree a new deal with Ange Postecoglou’s side – the former England U18 international looks as if he will be on his way out of the club this summer.

Speaking about Dembele’s contractual situation, the podcaster said: “I think that Dembele – I feel as though he’s run his race at Celtic. I hope I’m wrong. I hope Ange Postecoglou can convince him to stay another two or three years.”

Disaster for Celtic

Considering how much expectation there has been regarding Dembele’s future ever since his debut for Celtic’s U20 side as a 13-year-old back in 2016, should the winger go on to leave on a free transfer at the end of the season, it would undoubtedly be a disaster for Postecoglou and his side.

Indeed, the £225k-rated sensation was named on the shortlist for the European Golden Boy award as recently as 2020, while, shortly after his arrival at Parkhead, the 56-year-old Bhoys boss also stated his excitement at the potential the £2k-per-week forward possessed, saying:

“He is obviously a hugely talented boy. He has been here for a while and I guess he gets an opportunity now. I think the way we play will suit him.”

However, despite recovering from an ankle injury that had kept him sidelined for the first half of the season towards the beginning of February, Dembele has since played just six minutes of Premiership football, as well as being completely left out of Postecoglou’s matchday squad for Celtic’s last two league fixtures – something that does not exactly appear to be the opportunity the Greek-Australian manager suggested the 19-year-old would receive.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

And, following the news that fellow Celtic prospect Ben Doak also appears extremely close to sealing a move to Liverpool, should Dembele indeed join the 16-year-old in moving onto pastures new this summer, it would certainly come as a huge blow to everyone involved with the club – with the Parkhead faithful surely being devastated at the thought of losing a talent as promising as the forward for free.

AND in other news: Ange can axe “infectious” ace as Celtic become “serious contenders” for “massive” deal