Aston Villa are reportedly locked in talks with Lyon over a move for Moussa Dembele - but could be set to leave Celtic with nothing as he approaches the end of his contract.
Dembele's career trajectory has nosedived this season as he plays second fiddle to Alexandre Lacazette at Lyon following the striker's summer arrival from Arsenal, netting just two goals so far this term and last getting on the scoresheet in September. However, he he has proven track record as goalscorer netting 120 for Celtic and Lyon in just 253 games across the two clubs - and could be handed a career lifeline by Unai Emery at Villa Park this month.
Reports south of the border suggest that Aston Villa are willing to take a gamble on the 26-year-old this month to add depth to their frontline, with Birmingham Live reporting that he would be available for a "bargain price" as he nears the end of his contract in Ligue 1. It has been suggested that a fee in the region of £4million will be put on the table to tempt the French side into a January sale.
Celtic would secure 10 per cent of any fee spent by Villa, which would leave the club with a meagre £400,000 from a clause that had once appeared certain to send a bumper payday to Celtic Park. With the two clubs still "in talks", reports in France suggest there is a scenario that could leave the Scottish Premiership champions without a windfall.
Foot Mercato report that Lyon are keen to sell this month to recoup something for a striker that once set them back £19.8million when he left Glasgow's east end. It has been claimed that Villa are now "planning to wait" until the summer to bring Dembele to the Premier League with a pre-contract agreement in the works.
Everton have previously been touted as a potential destination for Dembele. However, it is noted the "situation has changed" for the player and club following the sacking of Frank Lampard.
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