DEDRYCK BOYATA looks set to complete his move to Hertha Berlin at the end of this month, as soon as his Celtic contract expires.
The Belgium central defender hasn’t appeared for Celtic since limping off in the 2-1 victory over the Rangers at Celtic Park at the end of March. With the scores level Boyata pulled up with a hamstring and with all substitutes deployed, it meant that Celtic had to finish the match with ten men – the same as the opposition who had Morelos sent off for an elbow on Scott Brown.
James Forrest grabbed a vital late winner that afternoon which is almost certainly the final appearance for Celtic by Dedryck Boyata.
The Bundesliga side are reportedly confident they have won the race to sign the 28 year old Celtic defender, who is a free agent at the end of May. Boyata has held in talks with Hertha Berlin over a £40,000 per-week contract. Like Celtic Hertha don’t have a permanent manager at the moment after Pal Dardai was sacked following a dismal run of results.
Michael Preetz, their Sporting Director has been handling transfer plans and Boyata has been his No1 target for several months now. Boyata has other options on the table, including one from Celtic, but it now seems likely that he’s heading to the German capital to continue his career.
Last August he refused to play for Celtic in a vital Champions League Qualifier against AEK Athens, which Celtic lost 2-1 – going out 3-2 on aggregate and he was later frustrated when Brendan Rodgers refused to sanction a transfer to Fulham after the big spending London club offered Celtic £9million.
