FOLLOWING on from his client’s mysterious bad back complaint that has ruled him out of today’s top of the table clash at Tynecastle, Dedryck Boyata’s agent has attacked Celtic claiming that there have been ‘broken promises’ and accusing the Champions of ignoring calls from clubs trying to buy the Belgian defender.
Brendan Rodgers refused to sanction a move to Fulham for the player earlier this week ahead of the English transfer window closing, citing the need to have the player available for the vital Champions League qualifiers.
Fulham had a £9million bid rejected and were prepared to go as high as £12million but Rodgers dug his heels in and ruled out any move to England last week for a player now in his final year of a four year contract at Celtic.
Rodgers did admit though that there was also interest from Spain and Italy for the player and that a move could happen before the end of the month – although the Italian window closes in a week’s time.
How Boyata would get on with passing a medical with that bad back of his is something of a mystery for the Celtic supporters currently making their way to Edinburgh or preparing to watch today’s match on Sky.
Boyata’s agent Jacques Lichtenstein really does have a brass neck.
He was unresponsive to Celtic for a few months towards the end of last season and it looked very much like there would be no agreement on a new deal for the player to remain at Celtic.
Then just before the Scottish Cup Final Boyata himself spoke in more positive terms about wishing to remain at Celtic and stated that he planned to sign the new deal that Celtic had offered him on his return to the club after the summer. At that stage he did not know whether he’d make the Belgium World Cup squad or not.
He did, got three games in the group stages and that’s obviously attracted interest but he is under contract at Celtic and we have vital games in August. Brendan Rodgers has every right to expect a player under contract to be available for selection, rather than to call off with a back complaint – just when he is needed the most.
Anyway news has emerged of Jacques Lichtenstein comments on the situation and he is pointing the finger at Celtic.
Here’s what told DH.be : “Celtic have not responded to the interest of other clubs. Phone calls have gone unanswered. Meeting requests have been refused.
“The official offers were left unanswered, sending the message clearly that Celtic did not want to sell the player.
“When a club promises a player to be cooperative in the prospect of a transfer in the transfer window, after refusing several offers from the Premier League, it does not keep its promise, it seems obvious that they will not keep the promise if the players extends his contract.
“Dedryck is disappointed because he was made promises that have not been kept.
“Being angry at someone is one thing, being disappointed is even more serious.
“It’s easy to say to give up and move forward but it’s also a blow to the mind.
“A Serie A club has asked for a meeting with Celtic but they haven’t agreed to it.
“The transfer window closes in a week in Italy but obviously this club will not wait until the last day to recruit a central defender.
“Not to receive them once again would be disappointing for Dedryck but also for the club.
“Since his arrival from Manchester City, he has always been very happy at the club, showing his involvement and pride in wearing the Hoops.
“After a magnificent World Cup with Belgium, we received concrete marks of interest from different clubs playing in major championships.
“His very good club and World Cup seasons gave Celtic the opportunity to sell the player for a price multiplied by the amount invested on his arrival in 2015.”
Lichtenstein, nor indeed his client Boyata, seem the slightest bit concerned that Celtic are in the middle of crucial Champions League qualifiers and have the suspension of Kristoffer Ajer to contend with on Athens on Tuesday night.
What is clear is that Boyata is desperate to leave – he said as much in his social media post earlier this week.
His time at Celtic is over, time to get rid.
