Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted that striker Moussa Dembele has been distracted by the speculation surrounding his future this month.
The Frenchman is a reported target of the likes of Brighton and Hove Albion and Crystal Palace this month.
Despite this, no club has yet been able to meet the Hoops £20 million asking price and there has been a lack of activity.
Dembele became one of the most highly rated young strikers in Europe last season as he went on to net 32 goals in all competitions to help Celtic win the domestic treble unbeaten.
He is reported to want to leave the Scottish giants in order to stake a case for inclusion in the French squad which will travel to the 2018 world cup.
“There have been a couple of inquiries for him – nothing concrete – and I think it is clear he has not been quite the same as he’s been for over a year or so,” said Rodgers.
“My job as the manager and the leader of the team is always to protect the club and ensure everyone who plays is totally focused.
“Moussa’s a good kid, but for a lot of players January is a difficult window. There is lot of speculation, lots of things happening.
“My job is always to protect the club and ensure everyone who plays is totally focused. So we will see what happens between now and the end of the month.”
