Brighton set to rival Manchester United with £20m bid for Celtic striker Moussa Dembele

BRIGHTON boss Chris Hughton is interested in Celtic star Moussa Dembele, according to reports.

The France youth star has also been linked with Manchester United in recent months.

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Dembele, 21, has been a star since moving north of the border in 2016.

Under Brendan Rodgers' management Dembele already has 40 goals in just 65 matches for the Glasgow giants and has helped them win four consecutive trophies.

Dembele, who joined from Fulham for just £400,000, was also named in the Scottish Premiership team of the season.

According to the , Brighton are considering a £20million move for Dembele - but Celtic want closer to £30m for the striker.

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Dembele has struggled with injuries this season but has still managed to fire in eight goals in 16 matches, including one against Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain.

He also scored in the final of the Scottish League Cup last week.

Brighton boss Chris Hughton is in search of a striker with the Seagulls among the most goal-shy in the league.

Only five teams have scored fewer, with Glenn Murray the top scorer on five.

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Celtic are under no pressure to raise funds after managing to qualify for the knockout stages of the Europa League after finishing third in their Champions League group.

In fact, Rodgers is looking to strengthen in January, realising a chasm exists between his side and the elite.

Speaking after a 1-0 defeat at home to Anderlecht on Wednesday, Rodgers said: "At [Champions League) level, we are nowhere near it.

"But at this level we have to find a way and try and represent Celtic and represent the nation the best we can.

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"It is very difficult. We will always rely on the collective, we will always rely on the team.

"There won’t be one player at this level who is a massive stand-out. Our star is the team.

"That is the way it will always be."

Both Manchester United and Spurs have been linked with Dembele since last summer, although they were put off by his high price-tag.