Brighton boss Hughton denies move for Celtic star

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Chris Hughton has denied reports that Brighton have made a move to try to sign Moussa Dembele from Celtic.

The striker has been linked with a number of clubs since joining the Glasgow side from Fulham.

Speaking after his team’s 2-0 defeat at Chelsea, Seagulls boss Hughton insisted no approach had been made by his club for Dembele.

“Certainly as the manager of the football club I’m sure I would know, but there certainly has not been contact between the clubs, so that’s classed as speculation,” Hughton said.

“As we get to January the names are going to be thick and fast, but at the moment they are all speculation.”

Hughton’s team defended resolutely at Stamford Bridge but Chelsea broke the deadlock courtesy of Alvaro Morata’s header 52 seconds into the second half.

Marcos Alonso’s goal on the hour mark sealed a deserved win for the Blues.

“The game went as we would have expected, with them having a lot of possession,” Hughton said.

“What disappointed me most was the timing of the first goal and the fact that the second was from a set piece.”