Bolton Wanderers target former Celtic player after landing Rangers hero

League One promotion-favourites Bolton Wanderers are planning an ambitious swoop for former Celtic prodigy Karamoko Dembele, according to reports from Sun Sport.

Dembele is a product of the Hoops academy who rose to prominence in 2016 when he was just 13-years-old after producing a series of impressive performances in Celtic’s U20 development squad.

The teenager was ahead of the curve in terms of development and at the age of 15 was handed his first professional contract with the Bhoys amid interest from a number of European giants.

Just a year later, at 16, he was introduced to Celtic’s senior squad and made his senior debut as a substitute in a 2-1 victory over Hearts on the final day of the 2018/19 season in a match which also saw his team celebrate a league title triumph. That same year, L’Equipe lauded Dembele as one of the top six youngsters set to revolutionise football and the likes of England, Scotland and Ivory Coast were all desperate to secure his allegiance at international level.

The youngster represented both Scotland and England at youth level between 2015 and 2021 but is yet to win a call-up for either at senior level. Over the next three years Dembele struggled to live up to the initial hype that had surrounded him at Parkhead and after an injury-ridden stint left Glasgow in 2021 to complete a move to Brest on a free transfer.

Dembele made just 15 appearances in Ligue 1 during his first season but was judged to be surplus to requirements after the arrival of Eric Roy. Blackpool took a punt on the former wonderkid in the summer of 2023 and brought him to Bloomfield Road on a season long-loan deal which proved to be a masterstroke for both parties. Overall, Dembele registered eight goals and 13 assists in 39 League One appearances, winning both the Fans and Players’ Player of the Season award for his efforts.

It had initially been thought Dembele would be released by Brest this summer after their incredible third place finish in Ligue 1, but after impressing in Lancashire, the French side now feel that they might be able to get a sizeable fee for the youngster.

According to the Bolton News, Bolton Wanderers are one of the frontrunners for his signature. The Lancashire side finished in third position last term and after falling short in the play-offs are desperate to add an element of creativity to their team to get them over the line.

A move to Bolton would see Dembele link up with a former Rangers favourite Scott Arfield. The 35-year-old, who made 177 league appearances for the Gers, spent last season at Charlotte FC in USA, but has now agreed to return to Lancahsire on a free transfer, having previously played for the Trotters’ arch-rivals Burnley.

Ian Evatt’s side are expected to be one of the frontrunners for promotion this term and are second favourites to reach the Championship once again alongside Birmingham City.