Wantaway Peterborough United star urged to adopt Ivan Toney’s approach to leaving London Road

The Peterborough Telegraph understands there are strong personal reasons for Dembele wanting to leave London Road. The 24 year-old is known to have no issues with the football club who have been placed in a delicate situation by his desire to move.

Posh are sympathetic towards the player’s predicament, but also understandably relucant to let one of their prize assets leave on the cheap. He is effectively under contract at Posh until the end of the 2021-22 season.

Dembele’s preferred destination is believed to be to Scotland - he spent part of his early life north of the border - where Premier League giants Celtic and Rangers have both shown an interest, although it’s thought English Premier League side Fulham have also been monitoring the attacking player’s progress.

Dembele is due to meet with manager Darren Ferguson and co-owner Darragh MacAnthony later this week.

Posh director of football Barry Fry said: “It is a very tricky situation for everyone. We received Siriki’s transfer request this morning and we have acknowledged it. Siriki has his reasons for wanting to leave and we of course can’t let him go without receiving an acceptable transfer fee.

“We had the same issue with Ivan Toney last January when he was desperate to leave, but he accepted we would keep him until the summer in the hope he would help to get us promoted and his attitude from then on was first class.

“Ivan never gave us a moment’s concern. He got on with playing, he gave us 100 per cent in every game and he was obviously outstanding before getting the move he wanted last summer.

“Siriki must copy that attitude while he is still here. We are all sympathetic towards him, but one way to guarantee a move is to play well.”