AFTER a few months of calm and the player concentrating on playing consistently well for Celtic, the transfer talk started up again at the weekend after Celtic’s impressive 5-0 win over league leaders Hearts at Celtic Park.
Brendan Rodgers was asked about ‘the Belgian’ defender’s position with regards to his contract which as everyone knows is ends at the end of this season. Boyata was denied a move to Fulham as the transfer window in August neared its end and went missing in action at the time he was needed most – for the Champions League qualifier second leg in Athens.
Not signing for Fulham could be seen, looking at the English Premier League, as a blessing in disguise for the player and he should be able to attract clubs with better prospects that the hapless London outfit in the coming weeks and months.
Surprisingly Brendan Rodgers wasn’t prepared to accept the apparent inevitable – that Boyata would be sold in January or be allowed to leave for free in May. He will be able to speak to interested clubs on 1 January and can sign a pre-contract.
What should be stated is that since ‘screwing the nut’ and returning to wearing the Celtic jersey Boyata has been consistent and impressive. Here’s what Brendan said on Saturday evening in the Celtic post-match press conference…
“There is always a possibility, but we just have to see. It is between him and the club.
“What is good is that he is focused and playing well. His development in the last couple of years has been fantastic.
“All I ask, whether they’re here for one day more or ten years more, is they give their all. I can ask no more from Dedryck because that’s what he has done.”
And now the former Celtic Star John Hartson has told his old club that the Belgian World Cup star should be sold in January if there is an offer for him in the region of £7-8million.
“They need to deal with the Dedryck Boyata situation, because he’ll probably leave in January.
“If Celtic get a big bid for Boyata, seven or eight million, then he has to go. It’s a no-brainer.
“They have still got Kris Ajer, Jack Hendry, Jozo Simunovic and Filip Benkovic, so I think it’s a real possibility Boyata could go,” Hartson said.
Hartson though is impressed with the central defensive partnership that Rodgers is playing at the moment.
“Defensively now, with Benkovic and Boyata, they look more of a solid unit,” he said. But with the former on a season long loan from Leicester City and the latter running down his contract, it is a case of enjoying it will we can.
Both players are sure to be focused and ready to give their all on Thursday for the Night Fever, when RB Leipzig come to Paradise.
