Celtic centre-back Dedryck Boyata is in-line for a lucrative move to Hertha Berlin in the summer, according to the Scottish Sun.
The report claims the German side are “edging closer” to a deal that could be worth £2million-a-year for the 28-year-old Belgium international.
It’s reported that this would be a “massive increase” on his Celtic deal, and Boyata could also get a big signing-on fee if he joins the Bundesliga side for free, with his contract expiring in June.
It has been claimed that Hertha Berlin expect to finalise the deal in weeks and that they bid £4.5million for the player last summer, but Celtic refused to sell.
OPINION
Neil Lennon has said that he’s still hopeful that Boyata will perform a u-turn and sign a new contract with Celtic, but we can’t see that happening. Both sides have done a good job at making up after the dispute that saw Boyata down tools in a bid to force a move through, but we can’t see him wearing the Hoops next season. The deal at Hertha Berlin would make him one of their highest-paid players and the free transfer will net him a signing on fee too – that should be too good for him to turn down. Should Celtic have taken the £4.5million that was reportedly offered for him? That’s a tough one. It’s a lot of money for Celtic and losing a player like Boyata for free will hurt, but it’s always good to see clubs win out in the power struggle with players. Boyata, to his credit, has got his head down and performed well for Celtic this season. He’ll be a loss and Lennon will already be thinking about the summer when Celtic will have to rebuild for a season when Rangers will be expected to put up more of a challenge.