Albion boss Chris Hughton has reiterated there has been no contact with Celtic over Moussa Dembele.

The Seagulls have been speculatively linked with the ex-Fulham striker.

Hughton said ten days ago there has been no contact between the clubs.

The message was the same when he was asked again about Dembele this morning.

Hughton said: "There's been huge speculation, certainly on this particular one.

"There were certainly some quotes going back a little while ago about figures and about some communication between the two clubs.

"Categorically, there hasn't been any communication between the two clubs. Hence he is a name, along with lots of other names."

Asked whether there could be contact with Celtic over Dembele this month, Hughton said: "Pure speculation.

"If I look at players that we might have an interest in then there would be numerous names and of course this is one name that's consistently been linked but there could be numerous other names."

Meanwhile, Hughton has dismissed any chance of Lewis Dunk leaving in January after former Tottenham team-mate turned BBC pundit Garth Crooks suggested Liverpool should pay £45 million for the highly-rated central defender to partner new signing Virgil van Dijk.

Hughton said about Dunk departing this month: "That would be a huge surprise to me. Lewis has been magnificent for us in my period of time here. He's improved each season as a player.

"We have an owner and a chairman who has resisted any temptation for him to not be here in this period of time.

"I full expect him to be a Brighton player come the end of January."