According to reports, Celtic have been linked with a move for Schalke striker Franco Di Santo.

The former Wigan Athletic, Blackburn Rovers and Chelsea player struggled in the English game, but the Hoops manager Brendan Rodgers believes he could be successful in the Scottish Premiership.

The Schalke is being lined-up as insurance if a late bid arrives for young French international Moussa Dembele, according to reports emanating in Germany.

Di Santo has lacked an end product for most of his career, averaging just one goal in six games. He failed to find the net for Chelsea in 16 matches, and only scored one goal in 24 appearances during a loan spell with Blackburn showed how poor he is in front of goal.

The Bundesliga striker, however, have scored 13 goals in 92 appearances for Wigan, and has added 29 goals in 119 games with Werder Bremen and for the Bundesliga side.

Dembele has scored 40 goals in 70 appearances for Celtic and Di Santo doesn’t look like the right man to replace the Frenchman.

Dembele has been linked with Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion and there’ve been several clubs in Europe vying for his signature. His exit from the Parkhead would be a major blow to Celtic.

However, Franco Di Santo performances hasn’t been impressive in his entire career and Rodgers’ interest in him shows the Norther Irish man is looking for a cheap option rather than identifying a player who could properly replace Dembele.