Celtic striker hunt hits overdrive as Evan Ferguson transfer insider breaks rank and Kvistgaarden talks 'in full swing'

Richard Dunne has lifted the lid on talks with Brighton star Evan Ferguson's DAD about his future amid links with a move to Celtic.

Brendan Rodgers is on the lookout for a new striker after the departure of Kyogo for Stade Rennes - with Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler leaving the door open for a loan exit for the 20-year-old before the end of the month. The Ireland international has found game time hard to come by this season having failed to make an appearance for Brighton in more than a month when he was granted a five-minute cameo against West Ham.

Reports south of the border suggest that Celtic have joined the likes of Everton, Fulham, West Ham in the race for a loan deal. But Dunne, speaking at the launch of Ladbrokes' 'Gaffer of all Accas', reckons that a stay in the Premier League is most likely: “I was with Evan Ferguson's dad the other day; he's someone I played school football with in Ireland, and we've been friends ever since.

"We were chatting about Evan and his experience, and it's just amazing to see him doing so well, and being talked about. To be honest, it's been the case for his whole career; even from a young age, he was well sought after, and the fact that he's delivered and proven himself in the Premier League means that interest has only progressed and grown.

“It's not been plain sailing, though. There's been injuries, and moments where he's not been in the best of form, and the change of managers at Brighton has brought up something else.

“But he needs to play regularly, so it's probably time for him (to look elsewhere). Brighton seem to have found a formula which the manager thinks is working at the moment, and it doesn't seem to include Evan starting games.

“If he gets the opportunity over the