Celtic "target" Bamba Dieng is being studied by Everton boss Frank Lampard, according to a report. The Premiership champions have been linked with a move for the 22-year-old Marseille forward.
Dieng looks set to leave the Ligue 1 side having fallen down the pecking order under boss Igor Tudor. Tudor secured a deal to sign Alexis Sanchez from Inter earlier this month and club president Pablo Longoria has indicated their squad is now too top heavy. Dieng is a target for Leeds United, Newcastle United, Crystal Palace and Nice while Celtic have also been named in reports from France. But now the Daily Express report the Senegal international has been offered to Lampard at Goodison Park.
It's said the Toffees manager will now analyse footage of the forward in action before coming to a decision on a player Marseille value at €15million. Dieng rejected a move to Freiburg earlier in the transfer window amid a determination to make his mark at the Stade Velodrome.
However, the arrival of Sanchez appears to have further pushed him out of the picture and his future could well lie elsewhere. In their search for a striker, Everton have also been linked with Scotland international Che Adams and former Celtic favourite Moussa Dembele.
Meanwhile, Celtic have reportedly shut down Premier League interest in Giorgos Giakoumakis. The Greek forward has established himself as a firm fans' favourite in recent months thanks to a prolific hit rate in front of goal.
Fabrizio Romano reports a number of top-flight sides in England registered in the 27-year-old former VVV Venlo goalscorer, only to be immediately rebuffed.
It's said Celtic consider Giakoumakis "untouchable" and that the player himself is happy and settled in Glasgow.
