Dedryck Boyata’s next move could be sealed within the next two weeks, with Hertha Berlin closing in.
According to the Scottish Sun, the German side are confident they can land the Belgian. Boyata is out of contract at the end of the season, and looks to have played his last game for the Hoops.
He was part of Celtic’s first-choice centre-back partnership for large spells of the season. Unfortunately, however, an injury picked up against Rangers back in March ended his season. Therefore, there’s next to no doubt that he won’t play for the club again.
And it looks as though he could be off almost as soon as the cup final finishes on May 25th. The Sun states that Boyata has been in talks with the German side over a mammoth £40k-per-week contract. He is also apparently the Bundesliga outfit’s number one target this summer too.
Staying at Celtic doesn’t look like being an option anymore. There have been no reports about any continued discussions between Boyata and the Hoops, and that remains a disappointment.
Perhaps not the blow it may be
Celtic could actually strike lucky in the summer despite Boyata’s departure, however.
Filip Benkovic looks set to return to Parkhead. Both Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers and the player himself confirmed it was something they would like to happen. Keeping him would soothe the blow of Boyata’s departure massively.
But in addition to that, Jozo Simunovic is going through something of a renaissance at the back for Celtic too. His partnership with Kristoffer Ajer has seen them ship just two goals in six games together. He already looks like Boyata’s replacement, even though another centre-back will need to be brought in this summer regardless.
And it’s also important to remember that Boyata was a good player for Celtic. He had his rough moments, and the AEK Athens debacle was a particular low-point. But he’s also been at the centre of this historic treble-treble Celtic are on the cusp of achieving.
Boyata has been Celtic’s rock over the last two-and-a-half years. Under Brendan Rodgers, performances surged from the Belgian, turning him into a key player from obscurity.
His inevitable departure is still a huge frustration. But at the very least, it’s not looking as disastrous as it could’ve been.
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