England facing battle to keep wonderkid Karamoko Dembele as 19-year-old Celtic star holds talks with Ivory Coast
IVORY COAST have now spoken to Celtic starlet Karamoko Dembele in an attempt to persuade him to switch his international allegiance from England.
The 19-year-old forward represented Scotland's Under-16s and U17s before moving over to the Young Lions.
He last featured for England’s U18s in March 2021.
But the youngster, who was born in London but moved to Glasgow before his first birthday, could now be about to feature for another nation.
We reported earlier this month how Ivory Coast wanted him ahead of their friendly tonight at Wembley against Gareth Southgate’s side.
Boss Patrice Beaumelle has picked out Dembele as a potential star - as well as launching a charm offensive to get England newbie Marc Guehi.
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Now states that talks between Les Elephants and the starlet’s representatives have already happened.
They are desperate for him to represent them at the Africa Cup of Nations they are hosting in 2023.
Dembele is eligible to play for Ivory Coast as his parents are both from the country.
The teenager has suffered an injury-hit campaign at Celtic this term.
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But he made his first Scottish Premiership appearance of the season in the 2-0 win over St Mirren on March 2 as substitute.
And he followed that up with another cameo off the bench in the 3-0 Scottish FA Cup win over Dundee United 12 days later.
Dembele’s future at the club still remains up in the air.
His contract is set to expire in the summer having failed to agree terms on a new deal.