Manchester United join Chelsea in the hunt for Celtic's Moussa Dembele

The 20-year-old has impressed since joining Brendan Rodgers' side last summer from Fulham

Moussa Dembele has scored 32 goals in 45 games since moving north of the border (Getty)

Manchester United are the latest big club to seriously monitor Celtic prodigy Moussa Dembele, and could well give Chelsea competition for his signature in the summer.

The 20-year-old French underage international has earned a lot of praise for his performances for the Scottish champions this season, as well as a lot of interest from top clubs who are now watching him more intent and more scrutiny.

Chelsea are understood to have been contemplating a bid at the end of the January window and, although manager Antonio Conte publicly denied they had made an offer at that point, they could well return in the summer.

Celtic would want at least £30m for Dembele, who has scored 32 goals in 45 games this season - including five in the Champions League - and their negotiating hand would be strengthened if United made their interest concrete.

As reported by The Independent last week, the Old Trafford club are re-assessing their striking options, since it is now seen as far from certain that Antoine Griezmann will join in the summer.

The Atletico Madrid star has actually been “deprioritised” as a target, having previously been their primary close-season objective, due to the difficulty of doing a deal.

While Dembele would not be considered as a direct alternative to Griezmann due to his youth, and United do want to sign a marquee name, he is seen as someone who could not only have exactly that kind of status in the future but also contribute a lot of goals and energy to the team in the present.