Celtic’s Brendan Rodgers is displeased with transfer speculations surrounding Moussa Dembele as he fears it might affect the striker's form.
Brighton and Hove Albion and a number of European sides are believed to be on the heels of the attacker.
Amid the speculations, the Northern Irish tactician has charged the 21-year-old to continue to prove that he deserves to play for the Scottish champions and avoid any form of distractions.
“Moussa is at a stage in his career where he needs to keep proving that he can play for Celtic. Whatever comes from that will come," Rodgers told Scottish Sun.
“Speculation can be very unhelpful for a young player. If you are an experienced player you get used to it.
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“But if you’ve been linked with so many clubs over a period of time, then it surely can be unsettling.
“It’s not something that ends up being good for a player.
“There has been a lot of noise around Moussa for 18 months now — but let’s be clear, we’ve not had one bid.
“He’s been linked with about 16 clubs, but the bottom line is you have to play football.
“Be ready to play and then, if a move comes, it comes.
“I don’t want to speak about speculation because it has been non-stop and I think it could hinder the development of a player, not just Moussa
“There have been enquiries around him, but not one bid.”
The Celtic boss is confident that Dembele will leave at the right price when the time comes as his current form might not fetch the club much.
“I’m quite relaxed on it," he continued.
“Because of who we are and how we play, it is going to attract attention and that attention will ultimately lead to interest in players.
“You never want to lose your best players, of course.
“Like I’ve always said, if any player goes, it will be for their market value. I have had a few private conversations and I give the reality about what the situation is.
“It’s something that all takes its course. As a player, all you have to concentrate on is playing, training and working as hard as you can.
“If you are a goalscorer, create and score goals and then see where it takes you.
“But he’s very relaxed in his manner and how he is.
“He doesn’t give away much. He always had a plan when he came here."
