Chelsea boss denies interest in Dembele but confirms Gordon bid

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte says he was never interested in signing Celtic’s former Fulham striker Moussa Dembele.

The 20-year-old Frenchman, who was a target for Tottenham last January, has scored 20 goals in 38 appearances for the Scottish giants this season.

Reports suggested the Blues would move for him on transfer deadline day, speculation which intensified when Dembele flew to London for an appointment with a consultant over a knee injury.

Conte insisted there was never any attempt made to bring Dembele to Stamford Bridge, but did confirm he had a bid rejected for Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

He was seen as a potential replacement for Asmir Begovic, who was wanted by Bournemouth.

The Blues boss said: “Honestly, with Dembele, I never talked with my club about this player. It’s the truth.

“For Gordon, we tried. We tried to help Asmir to satisfy his request to go and play every game.

“I always told him if we were able to find the right substitution, he could leave.

“For sure, Gordon was one of the goalkeepers on the list. We tried, but when the club [Celtic] told us it’s not possible, we finished.”