With Everton on the lookout for a new striker in the January transfer window, punters have been lumping on Celtic’s Moussa Dembele but does the young Frenchman fit the bill for the Blues?

Oddschecker have revealed that 85% of bets on Dembele’s destination in January have backed a move to Goodison Park while the talent-spotter who lured him to Glasgow claims he has been contacted by Everton over a potential deal.

David Moss, ex-Celtic head of scouting, reckons the Blues contacted him for a character check on the 21-year-old, to which he replied: “Don’t even blink, don’t even think about it, sign him – it’s a no-brainer.”

Dembele – who was linked with a move to Goodison while at previous club Fulham – joined the Scottish champions of the past six seasons in a £3million deal in 2016.

After moving north of the border he has plundered 40 goals in 67 outings for the Bhoys to date but hamstring problems this term have restricted him to eight strikes in all competitions of which just four have been in the Scottish Premiership.

Despite the interest over a proposed move to the Blues – who failed to land a high-profile replacement for Romelu Lukaku over the summer – reigning Premier League champions Chelsea are favourites to land Dembele’s signature.

Bet Victor offer 8/1 for a west London return with a move to Chelsea while Tottenham, Brighton and Serie A side Fiorentina are 10/1 shots to be his port of call once the January transfer window closes.

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Everton are rated at 12/1 alongside David Moyes’ West Ham United and their fellow Londoners Crystal Palace.

Oddschecker spokesperson George Elek said: “Celtic will be doing everything in their power to keep hold of wonder kid Dembele, but Everton have shown recently that they are happy to pay over the odds to land their targets.

“Chelsea, who were linked strongly to the striker in the summer, could well reignite their interest should Everton’s advances be entertained.”