John Hartson says he is worried that Celtic will have to let centre-back Dedryck Boyata leave the club in the January transfer window.
Boyata is out of contract at the end of the season and is yet to agree a new deal at Parkhead, with the Belgium international also heavily linked with an exit both in the summer and the upcoming window.
Club legend Hartson has now weighed in on the future of the defender, admitting his concern that Boyata may leave when January rolls around.
In a column for the Evening Times, he said: “And I am worried we might lose Dedryck Boyata in January.
“The Belgian has been badly missed and with six months of his contract to go, would the club turn down, say, £6m next month or lose him for nothing in the summer?”
Boyata has been a mainstay for Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers ever since he joined the club, winning six major honours under the Northern Irishman.
OPINION
It is common knowledge that Boyata may leave the club in the upcoming window, but there is a debate over what the best move for the club would be. Do they, as Hartson suggests, take the £6million or whatever is on offer for Boyata in January? That would see them secure some return on their investment in Boyata over the years, and give them some more money to work with in finding a replacement. Or do they try and hang on to him at all costs, and likely watch him walk away for free in the summer window? That would give them a better chance of winning more silverware this season, with Boyata being one of their best players at this moment in time. It is a real conundrum for Peter Lawwell and Lee Congerton to mull over, and you would think Hartson’s concerns are more likely than not to come true.