Siriki Dembele asked about 2021 Celtic link; wants to play with Karamoko one day

By David Walton

May 31, 2022

Bournemouth attacker Siriki Dembele has dismissed any idea he was close to joining Celtic last year but admits he wants to team up with brother Karamoko one day.

Siriki has just gained promotion to the English Premier League after signing for the Cherries back in January for an undisclosed fee [Dorset Live]. Celtic were linked with a move last summer when it was reported that Dembele was keen on a move to Scotland with Karamoko also threatening to break through. [Peterborough Telegraph].

These days, Karamoko is into the final days of his Celtic contract with no clarity as of yet as to where he’ll be next season. From the outside, it feels unlikely that the England youth international is going to commit to the club.

And Siriki has admitted that he would love to one day play alongside him as he rejected any idea that he could’ve moved to Parkhead last year.

As quoted by the Daily Echo, Siriki said: “I don’t know about that happening or anything [a move to Celtic].

“But playing alongside my brother, I think that will happen one day. It would be nice, it would be very good. When that time comes, I think it will happen.

“But for me, right now, the most important thing was to get myself here (Cherries), because I think it was the best option for me.”

Siriki and Karamoko don’t look like teaming up at Celtic Park anytime soon

Siriki has only netted 2 goals in 13 Bournemouth appearances. But even so, he’s been getting regular minutes for them and is now set to become an English Premier League player as of next season.

With Karamoko looking set for the exit door, the idea of them one day pairing up at Celtic Park now looks a long shot. Certainly a lot more unlikely than 12 months ago when Karamoko looked like he was set to make an impact in the 2021/22 campaign.

Should he depart, it’ll be intriguing to see what level he would have to go do. In the past, he’s been linked with moves to the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal respectively [Scottish Sun]. But that was before he found himself sidelined for the vast majority of the season through injury.

He also has to look at what the right move would be for his career. We’re no longer talking about a 15 or 16-year-old anymore. Karamoko is 19 and should be on the hunt for first-team football with the raw potential he’s got.

Could Bournemouth be a potential option for him to feature alongside his brother? He’ll need to take that kind of emotion out of any decision he makes. In reality, staying at Celtic Park is the best thing he could do to repay the club that nurtured him whilst getting senior minutes under his belt.

But for now, we continue to wait a final decision from the youngster.

In other news, Osaze Urhoghide already putting serious work in ahead of Celtic return