The youngster was thrust into the spotlight last week after appearing for the Hoops Under-20s side, and City are looking to pounce
MANCHESTER City want 13-year-old Celtic wonderkid Karamoko Dembele to add to their growing academy of young stars.
The youngster was thrust into the spotlight last week after appearing for the Hoops Under-20s side.
City have been tracking the talented teenager for the past few months as they try and recruit gifted youngsters from across Europe.
And Etihad chiefs are hoping to strike a deal to get Dembele south of the border.
A City source said: “He has been on the radar for a number of months now. He is very talented.
“The club is always searching around Europe for another potential star and Dembele is one being looked at.”
Celtic are believed to have used Dembele in the Under-20 match to help their case in court if another club tried to snipe him.
It is thought they will use it as evidence to prove they were the ones who developed him in any potential battle over compensation.
City send their prospects to St Bede’s private school which is a attraction for parents.
The Citizens continue to pay their school fees up to sixth-form, even if they are released beforehand.
Celtic and City have close ties at executive level, and have thrashed out a number of deals over the past couple of seasons.
John Guidetti, Dedryck Boyata and Jason Denayer have all been loaned between the two clubs.
Pep Guardiola’s side have signed a number of high-profile youngsters in recent years as they develop their academy.
They snapped-up 16-year-old Jadon Sancho from Watford for £300,000 in early 2016.
The club also signed 16-year-old Argentine wonderkid Benjamin Garre from Velez Sarsfield in the summer.
Meanwhile, Manchester City are also looking at bringing in Celtic full-back Kieran Tierney.
Guardiola faces competition for the highly-rated 19-year-old from Premier League rivals Arsenal.
City have scouted the Scotland international on a number of occasions in the Champions League this season, and he has impressed.