THE teams and the numbers continue to change but the questions remain the same for Celtic and Moussa Dembele. Should they sell or not? Should he stay or go?

The future of the Frenchman could become the saga of the summer in Scottish football and the ramifications are significant for Brendan Rodgers and his prized asset.

Whatever happens in the coming weeks, whether Dembele is still at Parkhead come the closure of the transfer window or not, Celtic are sitting pretty here.

With 32 goals and three medals to his credit, Dembele’s first season north of the border perhaps even exceeded his expectations, as well as those of the man that brought him to Glasgow in the first place.

But the most important numbers now are measured in millions and only time will tell whether the 20-year-old will still be pulling on the green and white shirt next term.

Dembele has been watched and courted by some of the biggest names in the game and AC Milan and Everton are the latest to be linked with an interest in him.

It is only when someone shows Celtic the colour of their money and puts a bid on the table that Rodgers, chief executive Peter Lawwell and Dermot Desmond, Celtic’s major shareholder, have a decision to make, though.

Dembele is a fine young talent and undoubtedly an exciting prospect but one very impressive campaign in Scottish football doesn’t make him a £40million player.

Even in the over-inflated market in which Europe’s biggest spenders are operating in these days, that price tag is just too high and that valuation isn’t justified. If anyone does fire through an email with that amount on it, then Celtic should accept without hesitation.

If, for example, the offer was around the £30million mark, the deliberations might take a bit longer but the outcome should still be the same and a deal should be done. In the event that bid is nearer £20million, that could also prove tempting.

That kind of money can go a long way at Parkhead and it would give Rodgers extra muscle and room to manoeuvre this summer as he looks to further strengthen a side that swept all before it last season.

Of course the Northern Irishman wants to hold on to his best players and it is only natural that the Hoops fans want to see their top talents remain at the club for as long as possible.

But Dembele’s future will remain the source of speculation until he eventually heads for the exit door and Celtic could surely do without a ‘will he or won’t he?’ drama being played out for months at a time.

The case to rebuff any interest in the striker is clearly compelling, especially when Rodgers is preparing for another crack at the Champions League.

If Celtic were to reach the group stages for a second consecutive season, then Dembele may be more inclined to stay put for another term. That would give him the perfect platform upon which to showcase his talents and the better he does, the higher his price will become.

Failure to earn a seat at the top table could change the picture, though. Without that guaranteed windfall, does it then make more sense for Celtic to sell?

Rodgers doesn’t need to spend the money Celtic would receive to guarantee his side are the best in Scotland but a handful of players in the £4-6million range could help them make more of a mark in Europe.

The loss of Dembele would weaken Celtic’s attack, but the team and the squad as a whole could be strengthened if Rodgers spends wisely.

The 44-year-old has, of course, been in this situation before. He fought to retain Luis Suarez but eventually the striker’s desire to leave and Barcelona’s financial clout meant there was only one outcome.

That summer, Rodgers embarked on a huge spending spree at Anfield as the likes of Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Dejan Lovren, Lazar Markovic and Emre Can joined the Reds. Just over a year later, he was sacked.

The loss of Suarez proved too great and having been stung once Rodgers may not wish to take the risk a second time as he looks to hold on to Dembele.

Either way, Celtic will be taking a gamble. Whether they cash in or not, they will be at the table with a strong hand.