Just a few days back, Neil Lennon gave an update on Dedryck Boyata’s situation at the club, and he did offer a little bit of hope to the Celtic fans. Lennon had said, ”We are still hopeful that we can persuade him to stay, which would be great for everyone.”
However, we are getting contradicting reports from the Scottish Sun as according to them; the defender is reportedly getting closer to finalising a deal with Bundesliga outfit Hertha Berlin.
It is believed that the Belgian international is going to be offered a weekly wage of £40,000/week along with hefty signing on fee. Boyata is expected to make £2m a year if he agrees on a deal with them. Lennon was also asked about Hertha Berlin’s interest in the same interview where he gave some hope regarding Boyata’s stay. Lennon had said, ”I’m not aware of that (agreement with Hertha), Dedryck was at the game today. I wouldn’t be surprised if there is interest in him.”
Maybe the manager is trying to deflect attention from the defender at this point of the season as the Hoops have a crucial semi-final to play against Aberdeen.
Boyata: A villain or hero?
Boyata is going to depart from the club with bittersweet memories, and quite a few fans have been against him since the start of the season. It was clear that the Belgian wanted to leave the club in the summer of 2018, but Celtic stuck to their guns and kept hold of him.
However, the player did not endear himself to the Celtic fans when he made himself unavailable just before a crucial game in the Champions League qualifiers. Nevertheless, he still did a decent job after the transfer window closed and has played a significant role this season where they are in line to achieving a treble. However, quite a few fans would be happy to see him depart from the club after what had transpired last summer.
What now for Celtic?
It was anyway a surprise in the first place when Lennon claimed that he is still looking to persuade the defender to stay at Parkhead. For quite a few months it was accepted by everyone that Boyata would move on to a new club in the summer. With the latest reports emerging, it seems very much like so.
Lennon will have to guide the team through a major overhaul (assuming he is given the job permanently) as quite a few players are on loan and some players’ contracts are expiring. Central defence is going to be one area where the club will need to spend some money as they will also lose Filip Benkovic who has done remarkably well for the Glaswegian giants.
