Arsenal have sent scouts to watch Moussa Dembele after the French striker's impressive start to the season at Celtic, according to reports.

Dembele, 20, scored twice in Celtic's thrilling 3-3 draw with Manchester City in the Champions League on 28 September to add to his five league goals for the Scottish champions this campaign.

Arsenal and north London rivals Tottenham were linked with a move for the young forward in the summer, but he opted to join Celtic on a four-year contract instead.

The Sun says the Gunners have rekindled their interest in Dembele, who is also on the radar of European giants Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

Dembele scored 17 goals in 46 games across all competitions to help Fulham avoid relegation from the Championship last season.

He became Brendan Rodgers' first signing at Parkhead in June after his contract with Fulham expired.

The Ulsterman was effusive in his praise for Dembele after his starring role in the Manchester City match, comparing him favourably to former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.

"There's no doubt. I worked with Didier Drogba at Chelsea and I think he's of that ilk," Rodgers was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.

Moussa Dembele
Moussa Dembele's hat-trick gave Celtic a 5-1 win over Rangers in the Old Firm derby on 10 September Reuters

"Moussa is still young. Didier came into Chelsea at 24 or something like that. This boy's just turned 20.

"He's still a baby, but he's tough. You can see on nights such as Wednesday that he is a big reference for the team.

"What I see in Moussa is that he's a big-game player. He really comes alive in the big games.

"He has a belief. I think he said he wanted to be the world's best player when he came in and so we shall see. He is making nice strides, isn't he?

"There is still a way to go for him. I think he is a boy who can get to the top but there are some things to work upon yet."